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SKU: SOS6X9M02
6x9ft Kirman Silk On Silk Rug Oriental Carpet Hand knotted Museum Quality
Kirman, an important town of Persia during the reign of Shah Abbas (1571-1629), had the most splendid mosques and monuments. Kirman was known as a paradise of art and beauty. The artifacts in precious metals and textiles, enamelware and paintings all point to the cultural richness of the city. Even the antique tiles that adorned minarets and domes of mosques were extraordinary. It was from this splendor that the carpet design called kirman originated. The intricate design reflects the linear and arabesque motifs found throughout Islamic architecture. The bird and flower imagery is frequently used as well. Commonly known as the "garden design", Kirman carpets resonate with entire ambiance of a garden, usually with a central medallion on a field, often by several narrow borders. In Kashmir, this design is called Shalimar after the famous mughal garden there. Kashmiri art and handicrafts go back over 500 years, with design inspiration from Persia and other nearby nations. Dating back to 1398, Taimur invaded India, and then Sultan Sikander of Kashmir came to terms with the invaders and was exiled. So the exile for the young Kashmiri prince proved instructive and stimulating, and he made good use of this rare opportunity. When he returned and ascended the throne in Srinagar as Zain-ul-Abedin in 1423, he collected around him skilled craftsmen and artist who began the great art tradition of Kashmir. Over time, carpet weaving in Kashmir has attained extraordinary levels, and can claim some of the finest hand-knotted carpets in the world. While retaining the original techniques, great advancements have been made. The pile itself is now made of the fine silk mulberry worms raised in Kashmir expressly for these carpets. The resulting sheen and luster give interplay of infinite reflections, and become even richer over time as they are used. The density of knots has been refined to achieve suppleness unknown in Persian carpets of wool. Still a cottage industry, these works of art is woven in the artisan's home, with various family members assisting. The pattern, or taleem, is "sung" and pliant weaver's fingers respond by creating specific number of knots in a particular color. Kirman carpets stand to be among the best and are as hard for furnishing, as they are decorative.