Tabriz Persian rug: The leader in hand-woven carpet and rug industry

Posted by AxelPrice on October 2nd, 2014

 The Golden age of Persian rug weaving dates back to the time of Safavi dynasty, after which there was a sudden decline in the production of rugs. Most antique Persian rugs can be grouped into two categories-city (formal) rugs, characterized by intricate designs and the village (informal) rugs that offered unique blends of urban and nomadic motifs and techniques. Tabriz Persian rug is one such type of Persian rug, which belongs to the city of Tabriz, located in the capital city of East Azarbaijan province in the North-west of Iran. Since Persia has excelled so much in their rug production, buyers can find other varieties like the Qum(Qom) Persian Rug or those in their silk avatars and the like.

A brief overview
Rug weaving has acquired a new meaning today, thanks to the Persian weavers who are equipped with the know-how of the most diverse displays of designs. Currently, Tabriz is renowned worldwide for being one of the most famous rug weaving centres in Iran and the world at large. Looking at a Tabriz Persian rug, you are sure to find the rich traditions of decorative and applied arts on it.

The rug’s art was at its zenith during the 12th and 16th centuries. No less than 200 Tabriz school masterpieces of the classical or better known as ‘golden’ period of the 14th century featured harmonic merge of the arts or miniature paintings and weaving. Almost all the pieces bring to the fore a high level of craftsmanship from artists and weavers.

Today, the major producers in Tabriz include Alabaf of Tabriz, Galibafi Nassadji Tabriz and the Miri brothers. With the school divided into two subgroups like Tabriz and Ardabil, productions are now varied and caters to a large group of rug lovers.

Distinguishing features of the rug
A Tabriz Persian rug is distinguished by its rich weave and a remarkable inching towards the classical traditions of antique rug designing in Persia, which includes pile and flat-weave, with simple and complex compositions. Most of the themes centred on ornamental patterns and reds, blues and creams constituted the dominant hues. There is a certain ‘turanj’ in the carpet’s centre that symbolizes the sun and a typical pattern is formed with lozenges and toothed leaves, symbolizing fish scales rising to the surface of the water for getting the sun’s reflection. Since few of the topics in Persian art are inspired from those of Oriental art, many make the common mistake of taking one for the other. Apart from the one mentioned, there are carpet-pictures like images of fragments in palaces or mosques with some depicting sceneries of birds or drawings of animals.

Traditionally, ateliers in this influential city of Tabriz rooted for classicism and the trend is still in practice. It is for this reason that regional carpets have beautiful curvilinear designs, Herati (fish) patterns, spellbinding medallions, Safavi emblems, masterful motifs of all forms of shapes and sizes and the like.

Rug aficionados do not necessarily stick to the work of Tabriz but even purchase Qum(Qom) Persian Rug or the Mashhad variety for a touch of innovation.

Looking for a Tabriz Persian Rug? We are a specialty shop in the world of hand woven carpets like Qum(Qom) Persian Rug and other exclusive varieties.