Carpets from Isfahan

The city of Isfahan and its carpets

Up until the outbreak of World War One, Isfahan was the centre of weaving for the fashion industry. However, the far-reaching changes in fashion brought about by the war years meant that by 1919 Isfahan had lost this lucrative position. A group of business people then had the idea of using the fine merino wool for knotting exclusive Persian carpets instead of for weaving fashion garments. The market soon took note of these high-quality carpets, which were relatively cheap compared with other Persian carpets. The classic Shah Abbas patterns, which reflect the local architecture, were used for these carpets.

During the 1920s, the new industry enjoyed significant growth and the big European market lay waiting within reach. The fine, thin, close-cropped quality was not popular in the USA, where thick-pile, dyed carpets were more in demand. However, in Isfahan they stuck to the concept; the carpets, as well as the quality and production form, were sold instead mainly to Europe.

Carpets from the master craftsmen of Isfahan

Few men have exercised such influence on the art of Persian carpets than Haj Agha Reza Seirafian and his seven sons. Haj Agha Reza Seirafian started his first carpet workshop in 1939, making rugs at 91 knots to the square centimetre, and together with his seven sons he established an outstanding family dynasty as the undisputed masters in the production of Persian workshop carpets. Haj Agha Reza Seirafian later entered into a long-lasting collaboration with his third son, Mohammad Sadegh Seirafian, and Isfahan’s master designer Ahmad Archang. Only the best weavers, the best materials and the best dyes were used, resulting in the production of carpets at a level of quality unheard of at the time. Other local owners of carpet workshops collectively complained that the knotters employed by the Seirafian workshops were overpaid, but a local court passed judgement in favour of Seirafian.

The Seirafian workshops expanded as cousins and uncles of the founder were drawn to the concept and eventually received the approval of the inner circle as worthy Seirafian producers. The number of previous and present Seirafian carpet knotting workshops currently stands at 32.

Today Seirafian carpets are seldom seen in shops, but the coming international auction no. 770 at Bredgade, Copenhagen, includes a collection of no fewer than six original, signed Seirafian carpets.

Preview: 11 – 16 April, Bredgade 33, Copenhagen K.
Auction: 17 – 26 April, Bredgade 33, Copenhagen K.