Shah-era Tebriz Rug – Northwest Persia, Circa 1940 – 290x160 Cm – No. 1698

This magnificent rug, which has been thoroughly cleaned by our experts at the Galerie Lissier artisan workshop, is now ready to adorn your home.

Shah-era Tebriz rug – Northwest Persia, circa 1940

Dimensions: 290 × 165 cm
Construction: cotton warp and weft, wool pile

This remarkable Tabriz carpet, crafted during the Shah era in the mid-20th century, belongs to the prestigious tradition of figurative carpets from northwestern Persia. Its exceptional narrative composition, set against a luminous golden-yellow background, evokes Persian illuminations and the paradisiacal gardens celebrated in classical literature.

The field is brought to life by a multitude of scenes of daily life: horsemen, hunters, shepherds, figures in conversation, wild and domestic animals, birds, pavilions, and flowering trees are arranged within a rich landscape where every detail tells a story. This composition, inspired by Persian miniatures, celebrates the harmony between humanity and nature.

The entire composition is framed by an elegant red border adorned with alternating floral medallions and navy blue calligraphic cartouches, which are in turn highlighted by two richly floral counter-borders.

The color palette, dominated by shades of gold, azure, ivory, and madder red, reflects the refinement of the Tabriz workshops, renowned for the delicacy of their designs and the precision of their knotting.

The calligraphy on the border

The borders feature a Persian poem:


Transliteration:

Farshī keh zīr-e pā-ye salāṭīn-e ʿālam ast,
Az yumn-e khāk-e maqdam-e īshān mokarram ast...

Translation:

“This carpet, which lies beneath the footsteps of the rulers of the world,
Is honored and blessed by the dust of their passage... ”

This inscription is a traditional poetic formula frequently used on prestigious carpets. It extols the nobility of the work by affirming that its highest distinction lies in the privilege of welcoming the footsteps of kings and great figures. More than just decoration, the calligraphy contributes to the carpet’s ceremonial and symbolic character.

Commercial Description

A true work of textile art, this figurative Tabriz carpet exemplifies the full range of craftsmanship from the great Persian workshops of the Shah era. Its design, inspired by Persian miniatures, its rich iconography, its luminous composition on a yellow background, and its calligraphic border make it a particularly sought-after collector’s item.

Thanks to its refined design, excellent color balance, and the quality of its wool weave on a cotton foundation, it will naturally find its place in both classic and contemporary interiors. More than just a rug, it is a woven painting, where each scene invites the eye to discover new details.

Origin: Tabriz, Northwest Persia (Iran)
Period: circa 1940 (Mohammad Reza Shah era)
Dimensions: 290 × 165 cm
Materials: cotton warp and weft, wool pile
Design: figurative composition inspired by Persian miniatures, calligraphic border, golden-yellow background.

This type of carpet, blending landscape art, Persian poetry, and technical virtuosity, remains one of the most refined expressions of Tabriz craftsmanship in the 20th century.