Persian carpets are hand-woven carpets made in Iran, and are used not only as floor coverings but also as wall hangings and tablecloths. They are known worldwide for their intricate patterns and high quality. Their origins date back to before Christ, and over their 2,500-year history, their designs and techniques have changed and developed, reflecting the cultural background of each era.
Pazyryk carpets, woven in the 5th century BC (2,500 years ago), are the oldest surviving hand-woven carpets, featuring intricate animal patterns created through a dense weave. Luxurious carpets were used in the palaces of the Achaemenid Empire (6th to 4th centuries BC), and it is said that even Alexander the Great was amazed by their beauty. Khosrow I of the Sassanid Empire (3rd to 7th centuries) had a luxurious "Spring Carpet" woven, measuring 140 meters in length.
The Safavid dynasty of the 16th and 17th centuries was the golden age of Persian carpets, with many masterpieces produced under the reigns of Shah Tahmasp and Shah Abbas I. Shah Abbas I moved the capital to Isfahan, protected the court workshops, and encouraged carpet production, resulting in the production of luxurious carpets using gold and silver threads. During this period, elegant designs featuring floral patterns and central medallions were perfected and became models for later generations.
The carpet industry was revived during the Qajar dynasty (19th century), and production expanded dramatically in the second half of the 19th century due to the boom in Persian carpets in Europe. During the subsequent Pahlavi dynasty (1925-1979), the royal family also encouraged the preservation of traditional patterns and the improvement of quality, and Reza Shah established a state-run carpet company to manage production and exports.
Carpet production continued uninterrupted even after the revolution of 1979, and today Iran remains the world's largest carpet producer, accounting for approximately 30% of the global market. Although competition has been fierce in recent years from machine-woven products and cheap imitations made in other countries, Iran's carpets remain highly regarded for their artistry and quality, backed by a long tradition.
