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4361
4361 – 241 × 152 cm
Wool and silk on silk foundation | Circa 1950s
During the Safavid Dynasty (1501–1736), mysticism and Sufi teachings rooted in the works of Hallaj, Attar, and Rumi reached their peak. Shah Ismail, the dynasty's founder, was a devoted Sufi who laid the foundation for a flourishing era in Persian art and culture—including carpet weaving, which saw its golden age in this period.
Among his successors, Shah Abbas I (1571–1629), known as Abbas the Great, had a particular passion for carpets. He introduced a now-iconic design named after him—“Shah Abbasi”—still woven today. At the heart of these carpets lies a fully blossomed central medallion symbolising the journey toward spiritual purity. The surrounding half-bloomed floral elements all lead inward, representing the path toward the divine or the self-realised form.
This stunning Isfahan carpet is a work by the master designer Hekmat Nezhad, one of the most celebrated names in 20th-century Persian weaving. Known for his distinctive contours and compositions, his rugs are recognisable even without his signature. Woven circa the 1950s, this piece is a true testament to the refinement of Isfahan artistry, marrying mystic symbolism with supreme craftsmanship.
