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 Among the finest
hand-knotted handwoven rugs ever made, Isfahan rugs are the most
delicate
of the Persian handwoven rugs. In an enchanted city, renowned for its taste and
finesse, these handwoven rugs are of great delicacy and utmost intricacy.
The city of Isfahan holds pride of place in the Persian rug industry because
of its rich history and reputation dating back to the 16th century. Most
Isfahan handwoven rugs are finely detailed in wool and silk, often on a base of
pure silk. Until the middle of the 20th century colors were mostly stronger,
like bold reds and blues on the ubiquitous beige. But later comes the
visible influence of the international Designer, with more subdued ranges of
subtler colors. Still, at the sight of curvilinear vines snaking over an
elegant field around an exquisite medallion, especially if the long fringes
glisten silkily from magnificent borders, the word 'Isfahan' tends to spring
to one's lips. Patterns include pictorial and tree-of-life schemes, as well
as the Shah Abbas field with its floral vines.
Construction of Isfahan Rugs
There are various combinations in the materials used. These are: wool on
cotton, wool and silk on cotton, wool and silk on silk, or silk on silk. The
most common is a superb blend of Kurk wool and silk used for the pile, woven
on a foundation of pure silk. Unlike the free spirit of tribal weavers who
weave remembered motifs and learned ornamentation, the complex patterns of
the Isfahan are first carefully drawn on templates by a master designer.
These templates serve to ensure precision and quality throughout the weaving
process, which can last several years. There are hundreds of looms
constantly at work to meet the demand created by the reputation of Isfahan.
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