Teheran

A Teheran carpet of classical and timeless beauty in the most traditional and famous medallion composition of Tehran, the capital of Persia since the beginning of the Qajar dynasty in the 18th century. An exquisitely refined field panel, decorated with the most delicate forms of Shah Abbas' repertoire, is adorned by a monumental medallion of unforgettably graceful expression, perfectly balanced by the scale of the richly patterned border area. A beautiful yellow background complements the scene, along with its exquisitely drawn palmette, rosette and foliate repeat pattern, characterised by the enchanting dyes that define the Tehran category. Examples of this type have always been extremely rare, with some magnificent works woven around the turn of the century directly commissioned by the Qajar royal family and a select group of later Tehran examples woven under the patronage of the Pahlavi dynasty, particularly at the suggestion of the last Persian Shah, Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. This magnificent carpet from Tehran perfectly exemplifies the sublime aesthetic and technical criteria that have earned this origin such a high collector's value and connoisseur's appreciation, and is representative of the highest Persian masterwork category applied over the last hundred years.