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Persia, Tabriz (?), sixteenth century
Wool pile, cotton warp and weft
530 x 222 cm
Inv. no. T. 97
Dating from the sixteenth century, the classical period of Persian carpet-making, this piece was probably produced in Tabriz, the first capital of the Safavid dynasty (1501-1722). It has been associated to Emperor Charles V, belonged to the Austrian Imperial Collections and is probably the oldest carpet in the collection assembled by Calouste Gulbenkian.
The richly coloured decoration consists of a central medallion formed by a sixteen-point star, quarter medallions in the corners and vine-leaf scrolls, arabesques and flowers over the entire field, whose ground is – very unusually – in shades of pale green instead of the customary red for this type of carpet.
The composition enables a connection to the Persian art of the book (manuscripts and bindings) to be established. As it is an erudite piece, it was probably produced to a design from a royal workshop. In addition to the stylised foliage decoration and the fine composition of the scrolls, the central medallion and quarter medallions in the corners are also decorated with small birds. The border has a dark blue ground and is decorated with an undulating frieze that alternates with large palm-leaves.
The carpet was acquired in 1935. Other pieces of the same type are known in museums in London, New York and Washington.
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