Records of Stoddard International plc, Design Archive, Large Ispahan

Scope and Content

Design patterns, all with the design theme of large Ispahan. Ispahan or Isfahan refers to an Iranian Islamic style after the Mongols. The province of Isfahan has long been one of the centers for production of the famous Persian Rug. Weaving in Isfahan flourished in the Safavid era but when the Afghans invaded Iran, ending the Safavid dynasty, the craft also became stagnant. Not until the 1920s, between two world wars, was weaving again taken seriously by the people of Isfahan. They started to weave Safavid designs and once again became one of the most important nexus of the Iranian rug weaving industry. Esfahani carpets today are among the most wanted in world markets, having many customers in western countries. Esfahani rugs and carpets usually have ivory backgrounds with blue, rose, and indigo motifs. Rugs and carpets often have very symmetrical and balanced designs. They usually have a single medallion that is surrounded with vines and palmettos and are of excellent quality.

This description is part of the Design Archive  which is divided into the 142 sections, each with its own separate description.

Access Information

Open

Conditions Governing Use

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents

Additional Information

Description compiled in line with the following international standards: International Council on Archives, ISAD(G) Second Edition, September 1999and National Council on Archives, Rules for the construction of personal, place and corporate names

Scotland is the location of all place names in the administrative/biographical history element, unless otherwise stated.

Descriptions compiled by Victoria Stobo and Laura Early, Project Volunteers, June 2011.

Geographical Names