Persian Rug Tabriz approx. 312 x 218 cm Wool Hand-knotted

Tabriz Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Tabriz Persian rug is hand-knotted. Its pile is made of 100% virgin wool, while the warp is made of 100% cotton. These two materials define the construction described for this rug: the wool forms the visible surface and the cotton forms the warp of the foundation. The knot density is approximately 130,000 knots per square metre. The hand-knotted structure is therefore a stated part of the rug’s making.

In a hand-knotted rug, the design is built one knot at a time. Coloured sections of wool are placed into the foundation according to the drawing, and each row is compacted as the work progresses. The visible pattern therefore comes directly from the sequence of individual knots. For this piece, the listed materials are 100% virgin wool for the pile and 100% cotton for the warp.

The construction is further described by the knot density of approximately 130,000 knots per square metre. Tabriz is known for hand-knotted work with a broad range of technical approaches. This rug combines that regional tradition with a virgin-wool pile and a cotton warp, as specified in its description.

Origin and Tradition

Tabriz, also written Täbriz, lies in north-western Persia on the slopes of Mount Sahand and close to the edge of the Caucasus. The city is one of the historic centres of Persian carpet making. Its position supported trade, cultural exchange and the transmission of specialist craft knowledge over many generations.

The history of carpets from Tabriz reaches back to the 15th century. Around 1501, carpet production in the region entered an important period of development. Tabriz was the capital of the Safavid dynasty and later the residence of the Qajar crown prince. This political and cultural role also reinforced the city’s importance as a centre of sophisticated weaving.

Tabriz has historically been known as a city of master weavers. Carpets were produced both in the city and in many surrounding villages, where weaving knowledge was passed down over centuries. Different designs, qualities and technical approaches developed within this network. Tabriz consequently does not designate one narrowly defined pattern; it describes a varied Persian tradition of hand-knotted rugs.

Until roughly the 19th century, classic Tabriz carpets were primarily known in the city and neighbouring areas. During the 19th century, Western countries became acquainted with them. Three Persian master weavers, Sheikh Safi, Kurban Dai and Haji Jalili, played an important role in this wider recognition. Carpet dealers soon exported Tabriz rugs to Western markets on a larger scale.

The city’s workshops differed from the production of nomadic weavers. Tabriz carpets were made in urban weaving centres where skilled weavers worked in bright, clean and spacious workshops. Such conditions supported the precise execution of intricate designs. The city’s tradition therefore combines organised workshop production, sophisticated drawing and careful knotting.

Design and Pattern

The pattern of this rug is identified as a Tabriz pattern and is dated circa 1970. A rare colour combination is also specified. These details describe the design and period assigned to this particular piece. Tabriz design is not limited to one composition. The regional repertoire includes figures, medallions and Herati or Mahi patterns, among other approaches.

Tabriz pattern traditions range from clearly ordered central layouts to pictorial and narrative compositions. A medallion can structure the field, while floral scrolls, blossoms and smaller filling motifs connect the surrounding areas. Herati or Mahi designs often rely on repeated leaves and flowers arranged in a rhythmic scheme. This breadth is one reason Tabriz is associated with a particularly wide vocabulary within Persian rugs.

Figural scenes and designs with a three-dimensional effect are also part of the established range. In such work, the drawing may be constructed from many small elements. Weavers transfer lines, outlines and colour transitions from the design into sequences of individual knots. The result can be read as ornamental or narrative, although not every Tabriz rug contains the same imagery.

Persian literature has also influenced the design language of some Tabriz rugs. Poets including Rumi, Omar Khayyam, Ferdowsi, Hafez, Fuzuli and Saadi appear in the cultural background of this tradition. Verses were sometimes woven into borders, while figures from poems or literary scenes were used as visual sources. Iskander and Layla, Shirin, Majnun and Khosrau are among the recognised figures found in such imagery. This literary dimension shows the connection between carpet design, calligraphy and Persian cultural history.

For this rug, the concrete design is described through the designation Tabriz pattern and the rare colour combination. No further individual motifs are specified. The regional pattern tradition provides the historical setting: a combination of ordered composition, detailed ornament and a broad choice of colour and pictorial solutions.

Special Features

The listed special features of this one-off piece are its Tabriz pattern from circa 1970, its rare colour combination and its classification as a semi-antique Persian rug. The rug is an individual one-off. Its condition is described as very good with minimal patina. It has also been washed; the photographs show the specific condition of the piece.

The minimal patina forms part of the described appearance and is stated together with the very good condition. Alongside the washed finish and the rare colour combination, these details provide a precise description of this individual Tabriz rug. No further information about restoration, a more specific locality within the city or a signature is included in the description.

FAQ

What does Tabriz mean for this Persian rug?

Here, Tabriz identifies the Persian origin and the regional weaving tradition. The city lies in north-western Persia and has been known for centuries for hand-knotted rugs with varied and often complex designs. The name points to this established centre of carpet making rather than to one single fixed pattern.

Which materials were used?

The pile is made of 100% virgin wool. The warp is made of 100% cotton. The rug is hand-knotted and has a knot density of approximately 130,000 knots per square metre. These details describe the materials and technical construction of this particular piece.

How is the rug’s condition described?

The condition is described as very good with minimal patina. The rug has been washed. The photographs are the reference for assessing its specific appearance. Its other listed features are the Tabriz pattern dating to circa 1970, the rare colour combination and its one-off status.