Antique Persian Tabriz Rug BB3193 12'9" × 20'9" $145,000

A late 19th century Persian Antique Tabriz rug, the light blue-green field with floral motifs and flowerheads in between columns of linked lozenges in shades of sand and light brown within a dark green leafy vine border.

Persian antique carpets have a long history, going back to the Golden Age of Persian carpet weaving. The concept of carpet production came about during the Safavid dynasty. Court-established factories, provisioned by Shah Tahmasp (1524-1587), were devoted to producing intricate carpets and rugs. Factory production replaced the village craft of rug-making that had been prevalent up until that time. These antique Persian rugs featured simple rectilinear patterns. After 1722, Persian carpet production declined significantly. The Afghan invasion took a toll on the region, but – fueled by European demand – production picked up again in the late nineteenth century. This art form was thus revived.