The Ardabil Carpet
Carpets are used to decorate the floors and walls mosques and shines, they are an important part to Islamic art. They can give us an insight to their values, though their unique characters and designs. The Ardabil Carpet https://smarthistory.org/the-ardabil-carpet/ is one of the oldest Islamic carpets in the world. The carpet gets its name from Ardabil, a town that is north-west of Iran. Ardabil was the home of a shrine dedicated to Safi al-Din Ardabili, the carpet was made for his shrine. Safi al-Din Ardabili, is a Sufi saint who trained his followers in Islamic mystic practices. This is when Muslims through direct contact with God can find spiritual love, and knowledge. One of Safi al-Din Ardabili descendants united Iran, the lineage that he created is known as Safavids, and lasted for over 200 years. This was one of the most important times for Islamic art. This carpet is a huge part of that art, it's amazing, full of brilliant and vibrant colors as well as designs. Carpets today have about 160 knots per square inch, this carpet has about 340 per knots per square inch making it extremely detailed. The dyes used for color were natural like the indigo plant for the deep blues and pomegranate rind which is the juicy flesh for the reds. There is a golden medallion that dominates the carpet, along with the floral designs though the carpet as well as two lamps at either end. The most amazing part of this carpet is the inscription at one end of the carpet, it reads:
“Except for thy threshold, there is no refuge for me in all the world.
Except for this door there is no resting-place for my head.
The work of the slave of the portal, Maqsud Kashani.”
It is believed that Maqsud is the artist commissioned to make the carpet and he is referring to himself as a humble servant. Another interesting fact of the inscription is its dated, 1539/AH 946. This carpet is a twin the larger one is at Islamic Art Gallery in Victoria and Albert Museum in London and was legally purchased in 1892. The small one is located Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and bought secretly by a private collector and later donated to the museum.
Medallion Carpet, The Ardabil Carpet, Unknown artist (Maqsud Kashani is named on the carpet’s inscription), Persian: Safavid Dynasty, silk warps and wefts with wool pile (25 million knots, 340 per sq. inch), 1539-40 C.E., Tabriz, Kashan, Isfahan or Kirman, Iran (Victoria and Albert Museum)
Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis, "The Ardabil Carpet," in Smarthistory, August 9, 2015, accessed September 25, 2020, https://smarthistory.org/the-ardabil-carpet/.
Hello Emerald! I could just be a little confused, but is the carpet used for prayer and finding spiritual love and knowledge for love from god? If so, these rugs must have been very popular during these times! The rugs design are also fascinating, and the inscription at the end of the rug is so powerful. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHey Emerald!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I just wanted to say that I think your name is beautiful and unique, your the first person I know that is named after a gemstone! Your choice for the single artwork blog post is spectacular, and it actually sort of reminds me of the magic carpet from the original Aladdin movie, starring Robin Williams. That's insane for how many knots are in that ancient rug, I would most certainly not have the level of patience needed to adequately replicated something at that level. I thought it worked well for you to talk about the origins of where the different dye colors of this rug would have came from during that time.
-Autumn Fink
Hello! I liked how you discussed the use of these rugs to Muslims. It makes this piece much more unique knowing it has a religious purpose. Also, I think it was interesting to know how much goes into making these carpets. Do Muslims still use these carpets today?
ReplyDeleteThis carpet reminds me of the flying carpet in the movie ‘Aladdin.’ Which caught me off guard, but didn’t surprise me after considering that the movies setting was based off Middle Eastern culture and setting! Thinking how these carpets were made, making these by hand must have been such a meticulous process.
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