Persia can be justly called the cradle of weaving. The territory of present day Iran is the birthplace of many traditional rug patterns, later adapted by other cultures and frequently used around the world. Out of this dazzling array of motifs there are three that are distinguished by an exceptional complexity, beauty and significance – Herati, Dord Fasil and Derakhti.
Herati is also known as Mahi or Fish pattern. Although some scholars attribute its creation to the Turks, Herati’s name most probably derives from the city of Herat in the northwestern Afghanistan (which used to be the part of the Persian Empire). Another factor indicating Persian origin is the fact that the word “Mahi” in Farsi – the original Iranian language – means “fish”. Such design comprises of a stylized or naturally rendered rosette enclosed within a rhombus, surrounded by four acanthus leaves and sometimes a number of tiny flower heads around the sides and at the corners. The acanthus leaves due to serrated edges very often look like fish, hence the name of the motif.
Dord Fasil in Azerbaijani stands for “the Four Seasons”. This exceptional design combines the ancient decorative art, folklore, traditional symbolism derived from spiritual conceptions of early farming age, and religious references. As its name suggests, the main field of a Dord Fasil rug is divided into four parts, each comprising a different season with a corresponding genre scene depicting the images taken from peasants’ life. Despite the parts being independent from one another in terms of stories represented within the frames of each quarter, they are actually coherent due to their composition and style. One of the most significant unifying factors is the predominance of gold and red hues which help to ensure the common tone.
Finally, Derakhti – the Tree of Life. This motif has appeared independently in many regions of the world, but the oldest known representation of the Tree of Life comes from the 2500 BCE Mesopotamia, which once lay on the territory of the present day Iran. The Trees in Persian rugs are distinguished by the unmatched intricacy and beauty. From the very beginning this profound motif was perceived as the giver of life – in Islamic tradition it stands for the sacred tree that grows in Paradise. Generally, in Oriental carpets Derakhti means a blessing of abundance and good fortune.
If you would like to find out more about Persian rugs motifs, do not hesitate to contact us by email [email protected] or call 212-517-9178. You are more than welcome to visit our gallery located on 306 East 61st Street, 7th Floor, New York and if by any chance you are visiting the capital, come to The Washington Design Centre at 1099 14th Street, N.W. Suite 325. We assure that our consultants will be at your disposal, serving with their expertise and kind advice.
