History of Persian Carpets - Essay Example

?[Farik Ramjohn] [Humanities-The Arts] 6 October Persian Carpets Persian carpets have been displaying artistic magnificence to the highest possible level from over 25 centuries. Iranians made the first of all ancient civilizations who wove carpets. Contemporary designs of the Persian carpets encapsulate centuries of ingenuity and creativity that characterize the history of Iran. Carpets provide weavers with a forum to exquisitely express their wildest fantasies of art in the most organized manner. Some of the best specimens of the Persian carpets in the modern age are referred to as the most intricate designs of art in the history of mankind. The increased urbanism and industrial expansion in Iran in the contemporary age has in no way, weakened the Iranians’ association with carpets. Carpets have always been and continue to be the most particular and fantabulous characteristic feature of the Iranian culture and heritage. Iranians’ deep-rooted associated with this insignia of their national heritage brings life to the ambiance of every Iranian home. The history of Persian carpets encompasses a complete account of the way one of the greatest civilizations of the world has evolved and ruled over the world of arts and crafts through something as simple as a carpet. “From being simply articles of need, as pure and simple floor entrance covering to protect the nomadic tribesmen from the cold and damp, the increasing beauty of the carpets found them new owners - kings and nobleman, those who looked for signs of wealth or adornment for fine buildings” (“The Persian Carpet Gallery”). Ctesiphon was conquered by the Arabs in 637. The Spring Time of Khosroe was amongst the carpets they retrieved from Iran. This has conventionally been recognized as the most distinct piece of art of its time. The 90 feet square carpet has been described by the Arab historians in these words “The border was a magnificent flower bed of blue, red, white, yellow and green stones; in the background the colour of the earth was imitated with gold; clear stones like crystals gave the illusion of water; the plants were in silk and the fruits were formed by colour stones” (Kianush). In the 13th century, the Mongols found Persian carpets after their invasion into the country. This changed the artistic life of Iran for the following 200 years. As a result of the devastation caused by the Mongols, the carpet weaving trend saw a decline. However, the conqueror Tamerlane spared the Iranian artisans and led them to Turkistan from where, the Persian carpet art started to flourish again. Tamerlane’s son Shah Rokh encouraged the carpet weavers and facilitated them with resources to help them increase the production. The Persian carpet art saw a climax when the lavish royal support provided the weavers with the finest materials for carpet making. In 1499, Shah Ismail took measures to establish a national industry in Iran to help the weavers optimize on their skills. Shah Abbas of the Safavid dynasty helped the industry spread. Persian carpets were brought from the nomads’ tents to the towns and industrialized cities. Establishment of a royal carpet factory in Isfahan and recruitment of artisans to provide the craftsmen with professional designs were some steps that led the Persian carpet art to its apogee. One of the hand-woven Persian carpets from the 5th century B.C. is in the Pazyryk valley. Over the centuries, this carpet has become a little bedraggled, though a thick sheet of ice was originally used to preserve it that kept protecting this carpet for more than 2500 years. It was in 1929 when Rudenko and Griaznov led a Russian ethnographic mission to excavate the five tumuli. They discovered a magnificent carpet while excavating the fifth tumulus. Experts attribute its origin to Persia because of its obvious resemblance with the antique Persian art. The outer of the two principal border bands is decorated with a line of horsemen: seven on each side, twenty-eight in number -- a figure which corresponds to the number of males who carried the throne of Xerxes to Perspolis). Some are mounted, while others walk beside their horses. In the inner principal band there is a line of six elks on each side. The two external guards are decorated, with a succession of small squares containing imaginary creatures, probably griffins. (“Persian Carpet”). Persian carpets have always inspired a lot of artists around the world to incorporate the intricate Persian designs in their paintings to glorify the feel and theme of their paintings. Debra Jones is one of many artists who have used Persian carpet as a source of inspiration for their paintings. The figure below has been painted by Debra Jones with water colors. Persian Art by Debra Jones (Fine Art America). Persian carpets have enchanted the beauty of palaces, homes of the elite, hotels and museums all over the world. One of the most common fields of art in which Persian carpets have been used is the nude art. Persian carpets have been frequently used by artists for the nude art. These artists include but are not limited to Stephanie Rew and Donelli DiMaria. Two pictures of nude art upon Persian carpets drawn by Donelli DiMaria are shown below: “Persian Rug 2” (Fine Art America). “Persian Rug 3” (Fine Art America). Another artist Kevin Sollenberger has displayed nude art upon Persian carpet as shown in the figure below: “Nude on a Persian Rug” by Kevin Sollenberger (Comic Art Fans). Artists like Donelli DiMaria and Kevin Sollenbergerhave been experimenting with the Persian art. This can be attributed to the fact that Persian carpets are extremely classic and antique in their nature of designs, selection of colors and styles. This has encouraged Kevin Sollenberger to display nude upon the Persian carpet so that the painting combines antiquity with modernity. Likewise, Debra Jones made a dog sit upon a Persian carpet that has conventionally remained the most sacred possessions of the rich. These pictures speak of the fact that Persian carpets are just as famous among the 21st century artists as they were among the ancient artisans. Also, Persian carpets have a great market value in the present age like they always had. Works Cited: Comic Art Fans. “Nude on a Persian Rug.” 2011. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. . Fine Art America. “Harley.” n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2011. . Fine Art America. “Persian Rug 2.” n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2011. . Fine Art America. “Persian Rug 3.” n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2011. . Kianush, K. “Persian Carpets: A Brief History.” 1998. Web. 7 Oct. 2011. . “Persian Carpet.” 2011. Web. 7 Oct. 2011. . “The Persian Carpet Gallery.” n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2011. . Read More