A most important part of Persian/ Iranians art and culture, Persian Carpets, has been undoubtedly one of artistic magnificence nurtured for more then 2,500 years. Iranians have achieved a degree of excellence through their centuries of creativity, unmatched imagination and talent. Persian Carpets are an integral part of an Iranian home, which is the most valued possession for Persians.
History
To know the exact history of Persian Carpets, we have to follow a path of cultural growth of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known. Many people in Iran have invested their whole wealth in Persian carpets, which is often referred to as an Iranian's stocks and shares. For many centuries, the Persian carpet has received international acknowledgment for its artistic splendor. In palaces, famous building, rich homes and museums throughout the world a Persian carpet is amongst the most treasured possessions. Thus, today Iran produces more carpets than all the other carpet making centers of the world put together.
The history of the carpet is divided into three main periods, i.e., Zoroastrian period, Islamic period & Modern period. All of these periods are elaborated below:
Zoroastrian period
* Unique archaeological excavation in 1949
* Pazyryk carpets were discovered among the ices of Pazyryk Valley, in Altai Mountains in Siberia
* The carpet was found in the grave of a Scythian prince
* Believed that the carpet from Pazyryk is not likely a nomadic product, but a product of the Achaemenid period.
* By the sixth century, Persian carpets of wool or silk were renowned in court circles throughout the region
Islamic period
* The carpets of Khorassan, Sistan and Bukhara, were in high demand among purchasers because of their prominent designs and motifs
* During the reigns of the Seljuq and Ilkhanate dynasties, carpet weaving was still a booming business
* Sheep were specially bred to produce fine wool for weaving carpets
* The earliest surviving of the Persian carpets is of a Safavid (1501-1736) carpet known as the Ardabil Carpet
* The carpets are woven in 1539-40 according to the dated inscriptions
* The foundation of silk and the pile of wool with a knot density of 300-350 knots per square inch
* The size of the carpets were 34? feet by 17? feet ( 10.5 meters ? 5.3 meters)
* There is much variety among classical Persian carpets of the 16th and 17th century
Modern Period
* Iran exported $517 million worth of hand woven carpets in 2002
* Iran's carpet exports amounted to US$635 million in 2005, according to the figures from the state-owned Iran Carpet Company
* In October 2007, National Iranian Carpet Center revealed that hand-woven carpets have ranked first in country's non-oil exports and hold the third position among overall exports
Design & Material Used
The making of Persians Carpets is done using traditional styles and patterns used by the ancestors of weavers or designers. This traditional way of designing is used for simple rectilinear designs. While, for elaborate curvilinear designs, the patter are carefully drawn to scale in the proper colors on graph paper. Each square on graph paper becomes a knot, which allows an accurate rendition of even the most complex design. With the change in creativity, imaginations and thoughts, little change has been observed in art of weaving. Today, computers are used in the production of scale drawings for the weavers.
The use of quality material help in weaving most impressive and eye catching range of Carpets that is widely demanded for its durability, strechability and design. Some of the material is listed below:
* Wool: kork wool, manchester wool & camel hair wool
* Cotton
* Silk
PS: To know more about it, plese click on Persian carpets
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