Check out our new Shipment of Fine Rugs!

Amir's Persian Imports in Tulsa, Oklahoma is proud to announce a new shipment of fine Persian rugs has arrived! Please come and browse our new pieces to find the perfect rug for your home!

Rugs of Persia: Esfahan

Detail of Esfahan Rug (wikipedia)

Esfahan is the third largest city in Iran. Like many cities in the region it was settled several millenia ago and has been conquered, freed and reconquered by the Mongol's, Persians, Arabs and more. In the16th century it became one of the largest cities in the world with an estimated 500,000 residents, 163 mosques, 48 religious schools, 1801 shops and 263 public baths. Today it is the site of several nuclear reactors for Iran's contentious nuclear program. It is still a center of rug making today as it was centuries ago.

Weaving in Esfahan began during the Safavid Dynasty which began in 1501. After the Afghan invasion of Iran, the weaving tradition of Esfahan lay dormant until the 1920s.

Esfahan rugs generally have ivory backgrounds with indigo, rose and blue motifs and designs. Their designs are generally very symmetrical and balanced. There is usually a central medallion that is then surrounded by vines and palmettos. Perhaps the most popular composition of these rugs is a central medallion that is based on a famous mosque of Shah Lutf Allah located in Esfahan. This medallion is set against a field of intricately woven vine palmette and floral motifs.

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Rugs of Persia: Mashad

Part 2 in an ongoing series.

Mashad
Mashad is the second largest city in modern day Iran. It is located in the northeastern part of the country and is close to the borders of neighboring Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. It is home the Imam Reza Shrine, the largest mosque in the world in total area. It is a holy site in Shiite Islam. At the beginning of its history, the city was not considered a Great city until it was passed over in the Mongol conquests in the 1200s. After avoiding destruction it began to thrive. It is considered one of the holiest cities in Iran. It's name literally translates to "place of martyrdom."

Carpets from Mashad are generally large. The more common designs for Mashad rugs are called shah abbasi meaning they are modeled after the artistic designs of the Shah Abbas. The most common colors used in Moshad rugs are deep reds and blues.

Come by Amir's Persian Imports at 15th & Lewis to see our selection. Or visit our website www.persianrugtulsa.com or visit our Facebook and Twitter.

Rugs of Persia: Tabriz

Photo: Example of a Tabriz Carpet

The art of carpet making in Persian (modern day Iran) goes back more than 2,500 years. As Iranian history progressed the art of carpet weaving began to change from city to city in Persia. Each city and tribe began to create their own style of weaving and design. The result is a varied and beautiful history of carpets with differing motifs, colors, materials and subjects. This and the subsequent blog posts after will help inform you on the many different styles of Persian carpets, from the small and basic designs of nomadic tribes to the intricate, large tapestries of Persian kings and nobles.

This first post in this series is going to focus on rugs from Tabriz, one of the oldest, most renowned and varied rug-making centers in Iran. The majority of Tabriz rugs feature a central "medallion" or large central design in the middle of the carpet. Their designs are very detailed and precise, exhibiting years of practice and refinement. Another characteristic to Tabriz carpets are designs that evoke the look of fine lacework. The colors in a Tabriz carpet are usually reds, blues, greens and ivories in lighter shades to show a floral design.

While many of these carpets feature more abstract and geometrical designs, Tabriz carpets can also feature buildings like forts, palaces and mosques.

Next week, we will explore the Qum style of Persian Carpet. Check back and look at our photo gallery at www.persianrugtulsa.com

Also, be sure to read about our beautiful da Vinci's "Last Supper" carpet here: http://amirspersianimports.blogspot.com/2010/09/last-supper-rug-beyond-compare_17.html

The Last Supper: A Rug Beyond Compare

Photo: The carpet measures an incredible 8 feet 1 inch by 9 feet 6 inches and creates a dramatic tapestry.

In the league of famous paintings by Leonardo da Vinci this one off Persian carpet magnificently tributes da Vinci’s greatest work, Christ’s Last Supper honoring the most famous meal of all humanity. This carpet is one of the largest such works ever woven in Persia and is woven entirely of 2 day old lamb’s wool on a pure filamentary cocoon silk foundation. Filamentary cocoon silk is the finest available because it is not spun but rather is plied from single strands of silkworm fiber. The knot count for the entire carpet approaches 9 million individually hand tied knots.

Photo: Leonardo manages to make the moment come to life with his personifications of each of the twelve disciples, demonstrating their personal reactions to the announcement through inquisitive facial expressions and movement.

Depiction: The da Vinci Last Supper of 1495 in the dining hall of the famous Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. The scene depicts the very moment Christ announces that among his disciples lies a traitor. Leonardo manages to make the moment come to life with his personifications of each of the twelve disciples, demonstrating their personal reactions to the announcement through inquisitive facial expressions and movement.

Photo: Jesus tending to the flock.

The weaver’s interpretation of the Last Supper renders all of da Vinci’s original intent and adds fine drapery, garnished columns, and a cityscape in the background with mountains and a lake all with an evening sky. The decision to employ fine knots brings wonderful minute detail including combed hair, groomed beards, linen folds on the table cloth and pleated robes. Further details emerge including flourishes, bouquets, cherubs, roses, vinery and assorted garlands.

Photo: Mother Mary with palm frond.

Surrounding the image of the Last Supper are eight exquisite panels highlighting moments in Christ’s life and the Mother Mary. Both ends finish in approximately 4 inches of perfectly knitted pure silk guards woven on top with piled panels of famous architectural elements of Persia. More than 20 dyes were used in the work.

Photo: Extremely fine weave approaching 800 individually hand-tied knots per square inch. The decision to employ fine knots brings wonderful minute detail including combed hair, groomed beards, linen folds on the table cloth and pleated robes.

Measures: 8’1” x 9’6”
Knot Count: App. 800 Individually Hand Tied Knots per Square Inch
Time of Weaving: 3 Master Weavers 2½ Years Together. 7 ½ years Total.
Age: App. 40 Years Old

For sale at Amir's Persian Imports at 15th and Lewis for a short time.

Amir’s Persian Imports in Tulsa, Oklahoma has a New Website!

Woven the same today as they were in the time of Moses, the making of Persian (Iranian) or Oriental rugs and carpets is an art form with thousands of years of unbroken tradition. This rich heritage is carried on today in what is now Iran in the cities of Esfahan, Qum, Tabriz, Mashad, Kashan, Baluch, Turkman, Shiraz, Heriz and others. These cities are famous for their individual styles. Like real Champagne can only be found in the Champagne region of France, genuine Persian rugs of true artistry can only be found in these cities—each famous for it’s beloved style and asked for by name. Like asking for a Picasso or Monet, carpet afficionados specifically seek these fine carpets.

Come and visit the immaculate private collection of Amir’s Persian Imports, where we have a River of Rugs. We trek across the globe to find the best in Persian and Oriental rugs and carpets. No other collector carries such variety in style at such a high level of quality. A second-generation importer and carpet afficionado, Kaveh at Amir’s Persian Imports is Tulsa’s most experienced rug dealer. Our 47 years in the same Midtown location are a testament to our commitment to quality and authenticity.

We often travel to Persia (now called Iran) to the origin cities of the best design styles in the world including Esfahan, Qum, Tabriz, Mashad, Kashan, Baluch, Turkman, Shiraz, Heriz and more to bring back the best of the best in Iranian rugs and carpets. Our passion for Persian and Oriental carpets and rugs has been cultivated over a lifetime. This lifetime passion translates into a vast and intimate knowledge of the fine art of rug making. Of course, since we import a River of Rugs and other new pieces into our collection, we’re happy to offer many fine pieces up for sale to both make room and fund our passion for fine Persian rugs.

We offer expert hand repair learned directly in Persia (what is now Iran) from the famous rug making capitals of Esfahan, Qum, Tabriz, Mashad, Kashan, Baluch, Turkman, Shiraz, and Heriz. We also house Tulsa’s only full-service Persian carpet cleaning staff in-store. We offer free pick-up and delivery with any rug cleaning order over 9x12—a $75 value! Due to our expert knowledge, we also offer insurance and loss appraisals. Our owner, a passionate Persian rug connoisseur, is always willing to buy old rugs of all sorts.

For 47 years we have held very central Tulsa location at 15th and Lewis just a few blocks from the Broken Arrow Expressway. Visit Amir’s Persian Imports for the best in Persian (Iranian) and Oriental carpets and furniture. You can reach us 24/7—our number rolls over to the owner’s cell phone. Give us a call today at (918) 744-6464!