Although Tabriz, capital of the province of Azerbijan, is situated in a remote corner of Persia, from the earliest times it has been one of the most important centers in the Orient for the production of Berber carpets. They were well known in the days of the Caliphs; and some of the earliest masterpieces that now remain were woven there during the reign of Shah Tanasp, who extened to this industry his royal patronage. This city has been for a long period on the great routes of caravans passing to Trebizond and Tiflis from the country o the south and east, so that it has become the principal mart of Persia for the export of rugs
gathered from surrounding regions. Nevertheless, it still continues to produce its own pieces; but the weavers are in the employ of foreign companies who prescribe the character of workmanship. As a consequence, the rugs are of good material, excellently woven; and though many of the old dyes are no longer used, the colours as a rule are fair; yet on account of the mathematical exactness of their formal patterns the truly Oriental spirit is largely lacking.
Since the Antique Oriental Rugs are made solely to meet the requirements of Western buyers, the patterns are various. Most of them consist of a large central medallion surrounded by a broad field of ivory, blue, or red that extends to the sides and ends. In others, a small diamond occupies the centre and is surrounded by a series of concentric medallions. Although in these respects they correspond with Kerman-shahs, Sarouks, and kashan rugs, the patterns of their fields lack the long scrolls and interlacing branches, and consist frequently of short, slender stems supporting fronds, leaves, flowers, or the pear designs arranged so as to present almost the appearance of lace-work. Sometimes the drawing is a delicate tracery representing intertwining arabesques. A field completely covered with the small designs peculiar to Sehnas, or containing the disjunct forms of nomadic Persian rugs , is never seen; and yet it is not improbable that many of the early Tabriz Rugs weavers were Kurds. Sometimes the flowers are similar to the roses of Kirmans, or are realistically drawn composita surrounded by delicate leaves on graceful stems; sometimes the small designs are as formal as the palmettes of old Ispahans, from which they were doubtless copied; again, the naturalistic and conventional may be blended together in an harmonious whole. But whatever the pattern, the different parts show the perfect balance so frequently seen in the antique pieces of three or four centuries ago. Nevertheless, to these types are many exceptions, since the weavers will produce for hire any class of berber rugs or copy any colouref drawing.
Te borders differ from those of Kermanshahs, with which these antique rugs are frequently compared, in the fact that in their central stripe the continuous vine of leaf and flower is less consipcous; and in its place are often palmettes, pears, shrubs, or formal trees separated by foliated scrolls. Not infrequently the smaller stripes, also, have a repetitive pattern of leaf and flower, though in some of the many stripes is usually a well-drawn vine. Again, the border may consist of a series of cartouches that have been copied from much older antique rugs and contain verses of the Koran or of Persian poets. Within recent years this tendency among the Tabriz rugs and Kermanshsh weavers to imitate not only borders but also fields of old masterpieces is increasing.
A feature peculiar to a very large number of these tabriz rugs is the adoption of very finely spun linen for the wrap; though cotton, which is used for the weft, is sometimes substituted. The knots are carefully tied, and the closely woven texture presents an appearance at the back similar to that Sarouks; but the almost concealed weft is generally either white or pink. The weave compared with that of Kermanshahs is finer, but the wool of the closely shorn nap is neither so soft to the touch nor so silky, the colours are harsher, and the patterns more formal. These rugs are made in all sizes, though most are large and almost square.
Type Characteristics.
Colours – principally red, blue, and ivory.
Knot, Ghiordes. Knots to inch horizontally twelve to twenty; perpendicularly, ten to twenty-two. The rows of knots are pressed down, so that the warp is hidden and the weft partly concealed at back. Warp is hidden and the weft partly concealed at back. Warp, generally cotton, frequently linen; one of the two threads encircled by a knot is doubled under the other. Weft, as a rule, is cotton, occasionally it is wool or linen, of fine diameter, and frequently dyed pink. A thread of weft crosses twice between every two rows of knots. Pile, wool, clipped short and harsh to the touch. Border, from five to eight stripes an outer edging. Sides. A two-cord selvage. Both ends, a narrow web and loose warp fringe.
Texture, firm. Weave at back is of fine texture. Usual length. Nine to eighteen feet. Usual width, two thirds to four fifths length.
See also aubusson carpet at FArugs.com
Since the Antique Oriental Rugs are made solely to meet the requirements of Western buyers, the patterns are various. Most of them consist of a large central medallion surrounded by a broad field of ivory, blue, or red that extends to the sides and ends. In others, a small diamond occupies the centre and is surrounded by a series of concentric medallions. Although in these respects they correspond with Kerman-shahs, Sarouks, and kashan rugs, the patterns of their fields lack the long scrolls and interlacing branches, and consist frequently of short, slender stems supporting fronds, leaves, flowers, or the pear designs arranged so as to present almost the appearance of lace-work. Sometimes the drawing is a delicate tracery representing intertwining arabesques. A field completely covered with the small designs peculiar to Sehnas, or containing the disjunct forms of nomadic Persian rugs , is never seen; and yet it is not improbable that many of the early Tabriz Rugs weavers were Kurds. Sometimes the flowers are similar to the roses of Kirmans, or are realistically drawn composita surrounded by delicate leaves on graceful stems; sometimes the small designs are as formal as the palmettes of old Ispahans, from which they were doubtless copied; again, the naturalistic and conventional may be blended together in an harmonious whole. But whatever the pattern, the different parts show the perfect balance so frequently seen in the antique pieces of three or four centuries ago. Nevertheless, to these types are many exceptions, since the weavers will produce for hire any class of berber rugs or copy any colouref drawing.
Te borders differ from those of Kermanshahs, with which these antique rugs are frequently compared, in the fact that in their central stripe the continuous vine of leaf and flower is less consipcous; and in its place are often palmettes, pears, shrubs, or formal trees separated by foliated scrolls. Not infrequently the smaller stripes, also, have a repetitive pattern of leaf and flower, though in some of the many stripes is usually a well-drawn vine. Again, the border may consist of a series of cartouches that have been copied from much older antique rugs and contain verses of the Koran or of Persian poets. Within recent years this tendency among the Tabriz rugs and Kermanshsh weavers to imitate not only borders but also fields of old masterpieces is increasing.
A feature peculiar to a very large number of these tabriz rugs is the adoption of very finely spun linen for the wrap; though cotton, which is used for the weft, is sometimes substituted. The knots are carefully tied, and the closely woven texture presents an appearance at the back similar to that Sarouks; but the almost concealed weft is generally either white or pink. The weave compared with that of Kermanshahs is finer, but the wool of the closely shorn nap is neither so soft to the touch nor so silky, the colours are harsher, and the patterns more formal. These rugs are made in all sizes, though most are large and almost square.
Type Characteristics.
Colours – principally red, blue, and ivory.
Knot, Ghiordes. Knots to inch horizontally twelve to twenty; perpendicularly, ten to twenty-two. The rows of knots are pressed down, so that the warp is hidden and the weft partly concealed at back. Warp is hidden and the weft partly concealed at back. Warp, generally cotton, frequently linen; one of the two threads encircled by a knot is doubled under the other. Weft, as a rule, is cotton, occasionally it is wool or linen, of fine diameter, and frequently dyed pink. A thread of weft crosses twice between every two rows of knots. Pile, wool, clipped short and harsh to the touch. Border, from five to eight stripes an outer edging. Sides. A two-cord selvage. Both ends, a narrow web and loose warp fringe.
Texture, firm. Weave at back is of fine texture. Usual length. Nine to eighteen feet. Usual width, two thirds to four fifths length.
See also aubusson carpet at FArugs.com