Material: Kurk Wool with Mulberry Silk Highlights on Cotton Foundation

Size & Knottage: 4.8 X 3.7 feet; 576 knots per square inch.

Age: About 80 years.

This exquisite Iranian hand-knotted carpet is inspired by the poetry and philosophy of Omar Khayyam beautifully translated into woven art by master craftsmen of the Isfahan Province, Iran. The rug portrays a garden scene with finely woven human figures in detailed garments, surrounded by blossoming trees, floral vines and birds. It shows love, wine, wisdom and life, all themes from Khayyam’s Rubaiyat. The three borders framing this central field are just as detailed with animals, flowers and foliage. Weaving faces is the ultimate test for a weaver, and at 576 KPSI, the faces look as smooth as an oil painting. A single weaver would be able to weave only about 1 inch per day due to the complexity of the pattern, and this rug would have taken him approximately 12 to 18 months to finish. Crafted from Kurk wool (very soft wool from the neck of the sheep) which has a natural sheen, mulberry silk which highlight the accents, on a high-quality cotton foundation, this rug has both a luxurious finish as well as lasting durability.It makes a statement as a wall-hanging or as a floor carpet, and is a prize work of Persian art.

~Eina Ahluwalia