Continuity of Carpet Designing Traditions in Iran from the Achaemenid Empire to the Seljuk Empire

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor of Department of Carpet, Shiraz University of Arts, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the fragility of primary carpet materials, researchers employ a wider range of methods beyond examining physical samples (carpets and fragments). They also analyze written documents, including reports, travelogues, and historical writings, visual sources (Persian miniatures and European paintings), and archaeological findings, such as metalwork, stonework, and pottery, to learn about past carpet designs and patterns. The Pazyryk carpet stands as an unparalleled exemplar of carpet design, pattern, and color during the formative centuries of Persian carpet-making, spanning from the Achaemenid Empire to the Seljuk Empire. Its exceptional state of preservation offers an unprecedented opportunity to study the technical proficiency, aesthetic sensibilities, and cultural significance of this early textile. The paucity of comparable physical artifacts from this era presents a formidable challenge to reconstructing the broader trajectory of carpet design and production. The Pazyryk carpet has long been revered as a solitary masterpiece, providing an isolated glimpse into a lost world of textile artistry. However, this perspective has been fundamentally altered by the groundbreaking discoveries of Friedrich Spuhler in 2014. His revelation of a collection of pre-Islamic carpets exhibiting remarkable affinities with the Pazyryk carpet has reshaped our understanding of early Persian carpet-making. These newly uncovered textiles not only corroborate the existence of a sophisticated carpet-making tradition in Iran prior to the Islamic conquest but also suggest a more complex and interconnected network of textile production and exchange. These newly discovered carpets provide compelling evidence supporting the Iranian origins of the Pazyryk and suggest a rich tapestry of carpet-making traditions predating it. By delving deeper into the artistic and cultural landscape of Iran from the Achaemenid Empire to the Seljuk era (the 5th century BC to the 7th century AD), we can discern a foundational framework of design motifs and patterns that served as the bedrock for subsequent carpet creations. While these core elements evolved and diversified over time, their enduring presence attests to a continuous tradition of carpet-making in Iran. The Pazyryk carpet, in this light, emerges not as an isolated marvel but as a culminating point in a centuries-long artistic lineage. The chasm between the Pazyryk carpet and its Sasanian successors, separated by over a millennium, presents a formidable obstacle for scholars seeking to trace the evolution of carpet design. To illuminate the origins of this enduring pictorial art form, a multifaceted approach is imperative, extending beyond the confines of carpet analysis. By examining a wider range of artistic expressions, we can identify the shared visual language that connects these seemingly disparate textiles. Emerging evidence points to a remarkable resilience of Iranian carpet design traditions, which flourished well into the first three centuries of the Islamic era (the 10th century AD), suggesting a continuous artistic lineage rather than isolated peaks of creativity.
Purposes & Questions: This research seeks to illuminate the evolution and enduring characteristics of Persian carpet design from the Achaemenid Empire to the Seljuk Empire (the 5th century BC to the 10th century AD). By adopting a comprehensive approach, this study aims to identify and trace the development of underlying design principles, despite the limited availability of physical carpet artifacts from this period. Specifically, the research investigates the mechanisms by which Persian carpet design traditions transformed and persisted over this extensive timeframe. This research delves into the question of how traditions in designing Persian carpets evolved and persisted from the Achaemenid Empire to the Seljuk Empire (the 5th century BC to the 10th century AD).
Methods: This research employs a descriptive-analytical and historical methodology. Data collection relies on documentary and library research, incorporating archaeological findings, historical documents, and existing carpet examples to reconstruct the design traditions. Given the limited physical evidence from this period, the analysis necessitates a rigorous evaluation and interpretation of available sources.
Findings & Results: The results indicate that the available corpus of evidence, encompassing physical carpets, pictorial representations, and archaeological artifacts, constitutes the primary sources of knowledge regarding carpet design and purpose during the specified period. A comprehensive analysis of documented Persian carpet design traditions spanning from the Achaemenid to the Seljuk Empires reveals a striking degree of continuity, with underlying principles remaining largely consistent. Full-field designs (Vagireh), characterized by their expansive patterns, and pictorial motifs emerged as dominant styles, exemplified by the early appearance of the Afshan carpet type during the Sasanian era. The repertoire of decorative motifs employed in these carpets is extensive, encompassing animal imagery such as deer, horses, ibex, and lions; botanical elements like arabesques and Khatai patterns; human figures; grotesque creatures like the Griffin; and a variety of geometric and abstract forms.

Keywords

References

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Negareh Journal
Volume 21, Issue 77
March 2026
Pages 98-129

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 10 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 05 August 2025

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