Shah Abbas Lotus Carpet 17'6" x 12'1"

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Regular price $5,450.00 CAD
Price $10,900.00 CAD Special Price $5,450.00 CAD

CUSTOM SIZES AVAILABLE BY SPECIAL ORDER

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Sizes are approximate. Photos are not necessarily exact for color.

New rugs are of the highest quality and are handpicked overseas by the Bashir Family.

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Overview

Materials & Craftsmanship:

This diligently hand-knotted area rug is made of 100% pure lamb’s wool. Wool is a natural material, representing a healthy choice that is environmentally friendly with a long list of benefits. The pile of this wool rug is hygienic and non-allergenic, as the natural pile also deters the growth of bacteria and dust mites. It represents a great choice for asthma sufferers due to its natural filtering ability. The rug feels soft under the foot while remaining wear-resistant and long-lasting. With proper maintenance tailored to its needs, this rug can last over 75 years.

Finishing:
The finishing of this carpet was done using centuries old traditional techniques. Once its laborious hand-knotting was completed, it was rolled and entirely submerged in a sanitizing bath where its fibers fully absorbed all cleaning liquid. After which it was laid flat on the ground where a team of cleaners used wooden oar-like paddles to push the water through its fibers and draw out impurities. Oar strokes were done in sync to prevent the carpet from getting torn. Each stroke tightened the knots even further. No machines were involved in its washing or drying.

A Brief History of Shah Abbas Carpets

Persian Palace Ceiling Mural Painting of Shah AbbasShah Abbas carpets depict a meandering vine and flower border with a field of palmettes issuing angular flowering and leafy vine. These exquisite carpet pieces are called "Shah Abbas" carpets after the Iranian monarch of that name who reigned during AD 1587-1629. Shah Abbas was the 5th Safavid king of Iran and is generally considered the greatest ruler of the Safavid dynasty. He left a far-reaching mark on the society and artistic heritage of Iran, renovating the country's spectacular shrines and transforming its trading relations with the rest of the world. He was very fond of the arts and specifically hand-made carpets.

Shah Abbas was responsible for a large portion of the Persian rug industry by setting up royal rug factories all over Iran and making Isfahan the country's capital. This typically Persian style carpet widely influenced carpets in Kurdistan and the Caucasus and also Indian court carpets. The term Shah Abbas is also used when referring to a pattern style in which the central patterns are made up of arabesque motifs, palmettes and lotus motifs in elegant shapes which demand a high knot density. This carpet pattern is usually found in carpets such as the Keshan, Isfahan, Mashad, and Nain. It is also found in carpets produced in India, China, and Pakistan, that replicate the Persian style. Today, a Shah Abbas carpet is among the finest Persian rugs available. The Shah Abbas carpet is a perfect reflection of this and brings elegance and sophistication to any room it graces.

Sources and inspiration: Bérinstain, Valérie, et al. L'art du tapis dans le monde (The art of carpets in the world). Paris: Mengès, 1996. Print.; Jerrehian Jr., Aram K.A. Oriental Rug Primer. Philadelphia: Running Press, 1980. Print.; Herbert, Janice Summers. Oriental Rugs, New York: Macmillan, 1982. Print.; Hackmack, Adolf. Chinese Carpets and Rugs, Rutland and Tokyo: Tuttle, 1980. Print. ; De Moubray, Amicia, and David Black. Carpets for the home, London: Laurence King Publishing, 1999. Print.; Jacobsen, Charles. Oriental Rugs A Complete Guide, Rutland and Tokyo: Tuttle, 1962. Print.; Bashir, S. (n.d.). Personal interview.; Web site sources and dates of consultation vary (to be confirmed). Without prejudice to official usage.