Isfahan Islimi

Ever since Shah Abbas the Great made Isfahan the capital of the Persian Safavid Empire in the late 16th century and set up his court looms in the city, the carpets of Isfahan have been considered one of the most precious of all Persian knotted artefacts. This reputation is further enhanced by the exceptionally fine silk-knotted Isfahan art carpets, first created under the patronage of the Pahlavi Shahs, and definitively proven in this truly exceptional classical example. A star-shaped medallion of astonishing filigree complexity possesses the majestic opulence for which the high Isfahan style is unrivalled on a beautiful honey-cream ground. Scattered across the surrounding field is a cohesive profusion of graceful floral and foliate forms from the royal lineage of the Shah Abbas style, subtly conveyed by a balanced scheme of border stripes in which stately palemette repeats and flowing vine meanders are etched with the pencil-like delicacy that only a fabric of such superb quality, with its crucial foundation of gossamer-thin hand-spun Caspian silk, allows. An Isfahan of outstanding artistic and technical achievement, representing one of the most coveted categories of all Persian master workshops.