Beautiful Small Size Antique Persian Tabriz Silk Prayer Rug, Country of Origin: Persia, Circa Date: 1880 — This magnificent antique prayer rug from Tabriz stands out among the more common rugs that one finds on the market for many reasons. This antique silk rug was produced in 1880, which is a time when great efforts were being taken to revive the carpet industry in Persia.
Tabriz is a city that was established as a center for the art of rug weaving in the 1500’s under the Safavid Dynasty. In 1880, this city was once again producing fine carpets that the world could not get enough of, and given this example, one can see why.
This antique Persian carpet features a mihrab, or prayer niche. However, within this prayer niche, one can find the tree of life design. The tree of life is an ancient symbol that is found in many cultures and unites many cultures through our common ancient origins. It is a symbol for abundance and echoes themes found in the Garden of Eden.
Two peacocks elegantly guard the mihrab and the gates to heaven in this extremely artistic and rare antique rug. The peacock is a popular motif in Persian art and this bird was worshiped by certain tribes in what is modern day Armenia, Kurdistan and tribes throughout the Caucasus mountains. It is also a symbol of the Persian Monarchy. This tradition dates to the Peacock Throne, which is a famous golden throne that was acquired by the Persians from the Indians in 1739.
The symbol of two peacocks placed symmetrically on either side of the Tree of Life is symbolic of the duality of man, similar to the myth of the Gemini twins, where the single man draws life from the unity of the heavens an Earth.
This antique Persian Tabriz Silk Prayer rug is a rare find for its symbolism, delicate feel and refined colors. Another special quality of this carpet is that it shows that it was used. It was not a piece that just sat around as decoration, it was used as it was intended. This is an exquisite antique Oriental rug that will bring it stateliness to traditional decor, or add an element of surprise to a modern design.