History of Iranian handmade carpets

The oldest Iranian handmade carpet in 1949 In the second phase of Russian archeological excavations, Rodenko discovered in the Pazyryk region And it was called Pazyryk Carpet. Rudenko in a book he published in Russia on the occasion of these discoveries in 1953, He wrote detailed explanations about the discovered carpet And he explicitly stated that it is the work of Iran and the oldest Iranian carpet in the world.
He wrote: “Without being able to say for sure which of the Median lands this carpet was made of. Part (Old Khorasan) or Pars, History of the carpet and fabrics discovered in Pazyryk It is identified as the fifth or early fourth century BC. Then he adds: The date of this rug is known from the shape of the riders. How to show war horses with rugs spread out behind them instead of saddles And the fabric on the horse’s chest is a characteristic of the Assyrians But on the Pazyryk carpet, there are different details and how to tie a ponytail It can also be seen in the prominent motifs of Persepolis.

During the Mongol domination (thirteenth and fourteenth centuries AD) Carpet weaving has reached a very high level of beauty and technique. The flourishing of this industry may have coincided with the reign of Ghazan Khan (1295-1307).

But the peak of the classical Iranian carpet, which is known as the Iranian carpet renaissance The time of the Safavid sultans (1499-1722), especially the reign of Shah Tahmasb I (1524-1587) And Shah Abbas Kabir (1629-1587 AD) have recorded. About 3,000 carpets from this period It is remembered in the great museums of the world Or stored in personal collections.

During this period, carpet weaving workshops were built next to the palaces of kings And various centers that previously existed in Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Mashhad, Kerman, Joshaghan, Yazd, Astarabad, Herat and northern states such as Shirvan, Qarabagh and Gilan. They developed and prospered more.

At the same time, high-profile painters and painters summarized the designs And they put a mixture of bergamot in the middle of the carpet and the elastic in it. That is the same design that was previously the most beautiful The situation was used on the cover of valuable books in the 15th century.

With the occupation of the country by the Afghans (1722-1722), this industry and art declined.

In the 19th century, Iranian carpets, especially the exquisite carpets of the Tabriz region, found their way to Europe. Representatives from European countries were sent to all the countries of the Orient And with very intensive competition, all the old carpets And he collected antiques in Constantinople, which is still the most important market They sent the carpet to the east of the earth.

With the completion of old carpet resources , English, American and German companies set up unlimited workshops in Tabriz, Sultanabad (Arak), Kerman. This trend continued until World War I, when carpet production increased significantly.

The first carpet was most likely woven by tent dwellers to carpet the floor of their tents. But it is possible that the carpet was invented by the Egyptians, or the Chinese, or even by other people. And even the possibility that all these people invented the carpet themselves Without having any contact or contact with each other.

We are sure that carpet weaving reached its peak in the fifth century BC. This was done by Russian archaeologists Rodenko and Gryaznov in 1949 in the Pazyryk Valley, Approximately 5,000 feet of induced mountains have been discovered And it is known as “knotted” carpet.

Pazyryk carpet is a rare and beautiful example that is woven with high technique. Pazyryk carpet, which is 2400 or 2500 years old In the frozen tomb of the head of the city in Mongolia, which was very well kept, was found.

Throughout the history of Iran, industry and carpet weaving have become a special art and skill.

When Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC He introduced the carpet industry to Iranians. It is said that in the tomb of Cyrus, which was buried in Persepolis, It was covered with the most expensive carpets. Even before him, the people of the desert knew about knotted carpet weaving. They took good, durable wool from their flocks of sheep and goats for their work.

The first evidence of the existence of carpets in Chinese writings is related to the Sassanid dynasty, which dates from 224 to 641 AD. In 628, the emperor Heracles brought some carpets to the city of Ctesiphon, the capital of the Sassanids, after his victory. When the Arabs conquered the city of Ctesiphon in 637 AD And they looted the city. There was a significant amount of carpets, one of which was the famous garden carpet called Khosrow Spring. This carpet has been called the most precious carpet in history. Carpets that were in the reign of Khosrow I in the year (531-579) It was woven in 90 square feet, As Arab historians describe it: its corners are a magnificent bed of blue, red, white, yellow, and green flowers. Its background color is a copy of the earth in golden color, stones with crystal transparency, which is a false image of water. Plants are formed with silk and fruits with stone color Unfortunately, the Arabs cut this precious carpet into small pieces and sold them separately.

After the domination of the Arab caliphs, a Turkic tribe called the Seljuks conquered Iran. The Seljuk domination (1038-1194) is important in terms of the history of carpets in Iran. Seljuk women had a special skill in weaving carpets with Turkish knots. In the provinces of Azerbaijan and Hamedan, which were heavily influenced by the Seljuks, Turkish knots were used during this period.

The Mongol invasion (1420-1249) was the first savage invasion of Iran, but after a while they came under Iranian influence. The city of Tabriz, owned by the leader of the Ilkhanids, Ghazan Khan (1295-1304), was carpeted with expensive carpets. The Mongol ruler Shahrokh (1409-1446) who was involved in rebuilding what was destroyed by the Mongol invasion Encouraged and encouraged all artists and artisans of the land and the country. But carpet weaving in this period ended very simply, which had more geometric roles.

Perhaps the most important history in the carpet industry in Iran is related To the period of Safavid rulers (1499 – 1722). Indeed, the strongest evidence for this art and craft goes back to this period. There are about 1,500 preserved works in museums and collections around the world.
During the reign of Shah Abbas (1571-1629), trade, art and crafts flourished in Iran. Shah Abbas encouraged and encouraged the people to contact and exchange with Europe and made his capital, which was Isfahan, one of the most luxurious and huge cities in Iran. He also set up a large carpet workshop where artists work To weave the best and most magnificent examples of carpets. Most of these carpets were woven from silk with gold and silver threads that adorned them.

The period of carpet workshops in Iran ended with the invasion of Afghans (1722). The Afghans destroyed Isfahan as long as (1736) was their domination in Iran. Until a young ruler from Khorasan, named Nader Khan Shah of Iran. Throughout Nader Shah’s reign, all his time and effort was spent fighting the Afghans, Turks and Russians. During this period and throughout the turbulent and turbulent period of Iran, after his death (1747), no carpet of value was woven. And this tradition was followed only by tent dwellers and industry artists in small towns.

In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, during the reign of the Qajar rulers, this job resumed. The carpet industry flourished again by sending it to Europe from Tabriz to Istanbul. In the late nineteenth century, some European and American companies came to Iran And they sent this art and industry to the markets of their own country. Today, carpet weaving has become the most widespread handicraft in Iran. It is also well known abroad. Today, Iranian carpets have a special reputation due to their color, variety and various patterns.