Antique Tehran 1940 – 2.18×1.39

Description

This magnificent Persian Antique carpet was woven in the City of Qum, and it is destined to hold pride of place in any setting, no matter how grand or magnificent. To the Western eye the motif that is repeated over the field is likely to be described as a paisley design. In fact, the paisley design is of Persian origin, and became very popular in the West in the 18th and 19th centuries, following imports of post Mughal Empire. In Persia the design is referred to as Boteh. It is recognizable because of its resemblance to a tear drop, with its pear-shaped figure and extending arch of flowers and is said to symbolise the garden of paradise. Some believe it represents (variously) fertility, pinecones, cypress tree, a leaf or a flame. The central theme of its meaning is clealry spring and rebirth.

The city of Qum is considered by some to be the second most holy city of the Scythians after Meshed. It has the peculiarity of not having produced carpets until the early 1930s.  This fact is even more surprisingly as the city was considered for centuries to be one of the most important centres of Persian culture and artistic creation. For this reason, the design in the carpets do not belong to local traditions but were inspired by other workshops. However, the quality of the carpets is at the very highest end and represent the work of the most skilled craftsman.

This piece has a delightful patina and has a ‘softness’ to it that suggest that it has, like good wine, improved over time. The main border also contains magnificent boteh patterns together with an abundance of other floral motifs. As beautiful as it is today, the carpet will continue to improve with age and will give much joy and happiness to its proud owners.