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Tabriz carpets.
Tabriz is situated in northwestern Iran, in the province of Azerbaijan, and is the capital of a very important carpet-weaving region. The town is over 1000 years old and even centuries ago it was famous as a cultural center.
The Tabriz carpets are of very good quality, finely knotted and made of strong lustrous wool. There are old carpets in private homes, used for years, which are still in excellent condition, and the colors have kept their brightness.
At the beginning of the century, the finest carpets had a silk pile. These are rare pieces and are among the most beautiful examples of Persian carpets.
The usual Tabriz design is a medallion surrounded by flowers and tendrils; however, some carpets have a design with repeating patterns.
The warp and weft of Tabriz carpets are of cotton, and there are between 80 and 200 knots to every square inch.
The carpets vary in size from 6 ft by 4 ft to 16 ft by 10 ft.
Isfahan carpets.
Isfahan was the capital of Persia during the reign of Shah Abbas (1571 - 1629), and had the most beautiful palaces, mosques and libraries. Architecture as well as carpet weaving flourished at this time.
Rare and precious carpets from this period are now kept in museums all over the world. Very fine well-knotted carpets are still being made in Isfahan today.
The fascinating designs using lines and arabesques that appear on Islamic architecture also appear on the modern Isfahan carpets. Medallions are the most usual motif; however, animals and flowers are also used.
Both warp and weft are of cotton, and there are between 130 and 360 knots to every square inch.
Carpets vary in size. Smaller ones are approximately 6 ft by 4 ft, while the larger carpets at 12 ft by 10 ft are quite rare.
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