The Ardebil Carpet: A Timeless Masterpiece

• Origin: North Persia (Kashan), 1539
• Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
• Dimensions: 1152 x 534 cm (454 x 210 inches)
• Persian Knot: 517,500 knots per square meter (334 knots per square inch)
• Knots per 10 cm: 69 across, 75 lengthwise
• Materials: Yellow silk warp, double weft of yellow silk, wool pile

The Ardebil Carpet, one of the most renowned pieces of Persian art, is traditionally believed to have originated from the mosque at Ardebil, the resting place of Sheikh Safi al-Din (1292–1334), ancestor of the Safavid dynasty, and Shah Ismail I (1502–1524), its founder. A second, smaller version of the carpet can be found in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Considered by many as the world’s greatest carpet, this magnificent piece belongs to the ‘medallion’ group of carpets. The mosque lamps depicted on either side of the central medallions suggest that it was designed for use in a mosque.

Inscribed within the cartouche are two verses from the 14th-century poet Hafiz:
"Except for thy heaven, there is no refuge for me in this world. Other than here, there is no place for my head."
The signature reads: "Work of a servant of the court, Maqsud of Kashan,. This corresponds to the year 1539, indicating that it was created during the reign of Shah Tahmasp.

Although the mosque at Ardebil did not exist in 1939, when the carpet was found, the building where it was housed was later expanded to accommodate this exceptional piece. The carpet was not recorded in a detailed inventory from 1759, but references to it were made as early as 1843. Its exact provenance remains a topic of debate. Some attribute it to the workshops of Tabriz, where Maqsud, likely the head of the workshop, worked. Kashan, Maqsud’s birthplace, was renowned for its carpet production during that era.

This carpet is a true testament to the beauty and artistry of Persian craftsmanship, with its intricate design and rich history continuing to captivate art lovers and collectors around the world.

visit our Ardebil and Tabriz rugs.