Fine Persian Isfahan Rug (Merino Wool)

Isfahan rugs use a Persian (Senneh) knot, usually using a cotton foundation and fine Kork wool, often with silk motif highlights and outlines. They have a high knot density and finely drawn motifs. Common patterns include elegant central medallions, Shah Abbasi palmettes, scrolling vines, floral sprays, arabesques, and elaborate corner spandrels. These rugs are considered the most fine and exquisite of Persian rugs. Persian rugs have always been associated with sophisticated and affluent households, with regal highly detailed floral designs such as Isfahan, Kashan and Tabriz rugs, however there are many nomadic people in Iran who weave simpler, tribal rugs, including Gabbeh, Hamadan and Qashqai rugs. The floral designs often have a medium pile with a lustre, while the tribal rugs have a thicker pile. In most cases, the rugs are named after the city they are woven in. They are dominated by floral patterns symbolising the gardens of paradise, and nature with motifs of deer, goats, trees and other herbivorous animals.