The field of this carpet rendered with 1/4 cartoon exhibits an octagon medallion with a dark ground decorated with khatayi motifs. The four swans astonishingly drawn in the centre of the medallion are encircled by twelve young swans. Small trees bearing pomegranate guls on whose branches different kinds of birds are perched cover the cream-coloured field of the carpet. On either sides of the medallion, one can discern the figures of deer
The wide border of the carpet is enriched with poems inscribed in Nastalique in praise and respect of the prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h.), which its prologue reads
“Oh you, whose place is situated at the top of the
“,heaven
“,Oh you that the world is carpeted under your feet”
The four-islimi motif as well as four palmettes decorate the smaller cartouches of the border, which have enhanced the dignity and gravity of the effect. Other parts of the border, even the ground of the inscriptions, are embossed with khatayi motifs. The narrow inner and outer borders are arranged with an identical style but assigned with different motifs. In fact, they lie on a bed of interlaced flowers and encompass the field and the wide border. In elegant accomplishment of this delicate carpet, silk is the only and mere material that is employed
Related Description
Origin: Tabriz, second half of the 16th century
Collection: National Museum of Iran, Tehran
Design: Medallion with cartouche
Knot type: Symmetric
Dimensions: 228 x 193 cm
Raj: Approx. 70
Knots per 10 cm (width): 95
Knots per 10 cm (length): 110
