An important hallmark of the Iranian culture; the carpets & rugs created in the region have fascinated royals and connoisseurs since time immemorial. Renowned for their intricate designs, rich colours and inimitable craftsmanship, the story of these carpets can be traced back to 539 B.C when Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and introduced the art of carpet making in Persia. Since then, carpets have been an invaluable asset and an immutable part of Iranian culture. Having found their way as regal pieces of home décor, Persian textiles are instantly recognizable owing to their opulent presence. Authentic antique Persian rugs are rare to find which makes them a desirable product in the auction market. Here is a list of some of the most important and historical hubs of Persian Textiles that will be presented in our upcoming ‘Opulent Collectibles’ auction.

Lot No. 155: An Exceptional Kerman Wool Carpet

Deftly executed on a red ground, the presented lot’s design primarily consists of floral motifs such as palmetto, vine, leaves and flower buds. The cartouche border features complementing designs on a blue ground. Prized for their ornate floral designs and a range of medallion patterns, Kerman rugs originated in the city of Kerman located in Southeast of Iran. Traditional Kerman designs range from Shah Abbasi medallion-and-corner, garden, vase, tree of life, hunting and animals to all-over floral and stripes. Famous for its long history and strong cultural heritage, the Kerman region emerged to be a primary weaving centre in Iran.

Lot 204: An Exquisite Sourak Wool Carpet

A fine example of the weaving craftsmanship of Sourak region in Iran, the presented carpet is executed with high quality tough wool using a Persian knot. The salmon red background is decorated with an overall pattern featuring traditional floral designs, blossoms, leaves and intricate vine formations. The finest of the modern Sarouk carpets come from the small town of Ghiassabad in Iran.

Lot 64: A Tabriz Wool Carpet

This carpet with a medallion at the epicentre features a floral landscape pattern featuring sinuous vine, leaf patterns, as well as bird motifs within the central section. The borders are executed with floral motifs.

With densely-knotted structures and elaborate floral displays, Tabriz rugs are a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of Persian rugs. They reflect the rich heritage of the elegant court tradition of the Safavid era in Iran. Tabriz rugs are executed with a range of delicate arabesque designs including flowerheads, lush vinery all over “Herati” patterns in sublime colours.

Lot 146: A Fine Kashan Wool Carpet

The design of the presented Kashan carpet features medallions circumvented with motifs like palmettos, leaves and arabesques designs. Kashan rugs are often created with various shades of greens and blues on red blue or indigo backdrops which are highly sought after. Carpets from Kashan as the presented lot more often than not feature a warp and weft made of cotton while the pile is made of high-quality sheep wool. Heralded as a direct legacy of the Golden Age of Persian weaving, Kashan rugs are densely knotted with extremely fine quality of wool, Kashan rugs are adorned with medallions as well as floral ornament designs.

Lot 163: A Medallion Design Isfahan Wool Carpet

The fine carpet has a large medallion motif in the centre with elaborate arabesque design. The deep red border decorated with vibrant floral patterns, contrasts the pastel ground of the medallion. An extraordinary category of Persian carpets, Isfahan rugs are decorated with designs inspired by the city of Isfahan in Iran. Designated as a world heritage for its architecture, the city of Isfahan is dotted with majestic palaces, tiled mosques, minarets and other historic buildings. With a knotting density of 650,000 knots per square metre upwards, Isfahan carpets are of very fine quality and are therefore among the most sophisticated.

The upcoming ‘Opulent Collectibles’ auction with over 250 lots will present an exquisite assortment of antique and vintage decorative collectibles, predominantly belonging to the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection includes Chinese and Japanese ceramics, Anglo-Indian furniture, fine crystal pieces, Persian carpets, vintage clocks, silver items, and other collectibles.

The auction is slated for July 30-31, 2022. Visit the AstaGuru website to register for bidding. Stay tuned for more updates on the auction.