ARDABIL CARPET 

Safavid Dynasty

1539-1540 C.E. 

    (Figure 1: Ardabil Carpet displayed in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London)

Art Expression and What Can be Revealed 

    Varying techniques such as dyes, the tools, and machines used, along with the artist's choice of patterns and design are telling of the history of the carpet. As art styles develop in pre-Islamicate art, artworks from those times showcase the development in political, socioeconomic, and religious climates. The period when “The Ardabil Carpet” was crafted reveals not only the development in art but the patron Safi al-Din Ardabil who requested the piece to adorn in his throne. His influence and power stand the text the time as pieces from his shrine are preserved in museums for art histories to uncover more of the culture it came from. As result, artworks that survived over the centuries are able to create a story of what came before our time and what had existed. 

“You may look at the social, political, spiritual, and/or economic significance of the work.” (D’Alleva, 44)

“… style communicates religious, social, political, and moral values through the. formal properties of the work of art.” (D’Alleva, 49)

   (Figure 3: Flower Medallion Center)

 The Patron of the Ardabil Carpet is Shaykh Safi Din Ardabili. The date of this carpet is 1539-40 C.E. The Ardabil Carpet is Persian. The Ardabil Carpet is extremely extravagant, it is meant to represent the life that was Shaykh Safi Din Ardabili. I believe that this was originally just used as a regular carpet, just like any other was used. The name of this carpet is after the person, which to me signifies the power that he had. Lines in the Ardabil Carpet create illusions with the color and the shapes. The lines switch from being harsh to smooth at some points throughout the carpet. The lines aren't emphasized throughout the painting. This is a three-dimensional work of art. There are ovals and circles all around the carpet which are geometric. There is light all over the carpet, there is tonal contrast. The dominant colors of the carpet are red, yellow, and blue. These are extremely bold colors. These colors are analogous which makes it look smooth. The surface of the carpet looks smooth and soft as if it was made of the most delicate of fabrics/ the carpet is flat but the shapes within have the extreme depth to them, the artist emphasizes the colors of the carpet, making sure that the richness of the colors come through. These features are shown through the shapes. 

 

“ At first glance, the lamps appear to be of the same size. However, when looking closer the lamps are in fact disproportionate.”(Schwarts)

The Oldest Carpet

 

“The Ardabil Carpet” does similarly as it brings in influence from designs from scriptures like the “Shahnama” or otherwise known as “the book of kings” which served as a manual for new rulers. “The Shahnama” use of lush plants and bold greens and blue hues in its illustrations dates back to pre-Islamic art styles as artisans began to use dyes and inks popularly found in pomegranates and indigo plants. Details such as colors and styles can reveal the point in time the material was being used and why it was apparent in certain artworks as seen in Figure 4 and Figure 3 comparatively. In the case of the “ The Ardabil Carpet,” darker hues of blues, reds, yellows, and greens all come together to form an intricate yet delicate flower medallion design as seen in Figure 3. While in display in the Victoria and Albert Museum, tentative care is put towards the preservation of the illustrious hues of the thread and the entirety of the textile.

 “It is lit for ten minutes on the hour and half-hour, in order to preserve its rich colors.(Victoria and Albert Museum)

       (Figure 2: lamp design)

(Figure 4: Page from the Shahnama)

    Such textile pieces were more commonly completed by women and although the artist is unknown for “The Ardabil Carpet” it is safe to assume that work that is commissioned by the court is crafted by men. “The Ardabil Carpet” is no exception to this as the Sufi ruler's intention with the carpet was to be placed in the full display within his shrine. It was mostly crafted from wool and silk-blend which gave the carpet more integrity and the use of wool was done so to absorb dyes. This technique of dying with fruits and plants is still in practice as certain dark dyes are harvested from bugs, plants, and some come from a combination of the two. Extracting colors from pomegranate fruit originates from Persia and yields soft yellows to green-yellow coloring. Over time, the dyes from the carpet begin to fade, and certain colors such as the reds seen in Figure 2 show variation in red hues. Pomegranate dye was not limited to use in carpet fibers, the use of fruit dyes was spread and used throughout India and Southeast Asia.

          (Figure 5: Carpet edge design)

What is Revealed

    Varying techniques such as dyes, the tools, and machines used, along with the artist's choice of patterns and design are telling of the history of the carpet. As art styles develop in pre-Islamicate art, artworks from those times showcase the development in political, socioeconomic, and religious climates. The period when “The Ardabil Carpet” was crafted reveals not only the development in art but the patron Safi al-Din Ardabil who requested the piece to adorn in his throne. His influence and power stand the text the time as pieces from his shrine are preserved in museums for art histories to uncover more of the culture it came from. As result, artworks that survived over the centuries are able to create a story of what came before our time and what had existed. 

Word Count: 1100

Work Cited 

D'Alleve, Anne. "LOOK! The Fundamentals of Art History." Prentice Hall Inc. 2004.

Macaulay Lewis, Elizabeth. "The Ardabil Carpet." Khan Academy, Smart History.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/west-and-central-asia-apahh/west-asia/a/the-ardabil-carpet

Schwarts, Omri. "Antique Ardabil Carpet - Oldest Dated Carpet." Nazmiyal Collections, Nazmiyal Collection, 25 Aug. 2017.

https://nazmiyalantiquerugs.com/blog/antique-ardabil-carpet-oldest-dated-rug/

Victoria and Albert Museum. "The Ardabil Carpet." Victoria and Albert Muesuem. 

https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-ardabil-carpet

Art Detective 

Hsi Lai Temple Located in Hacienda Heights, CA

By: Victoria Mulyadi T.S. Sentoso

    Growing up I often visited the Hsi Lai Temple located in Hacienda Heights, CA. My family and I would often visit the Temple for Sunday morning masque. Visiting the temple now, I am able to pick up on the design elements discussed in class. When inspecting the structure of the temple, eastern Asian design elements can be found throughout the building. Take for instance the double roofing technique where the roof of the building is split to create separate roofs on one structure to expand the space of the prayer hall. Other details such as the fencing done around the stairs and outdoor walkways are reminiscences of Islamicate designs. The curve edging of the roofing would be supported by dougong which are interlocking wooden brackets that reinforce the strength of the roof. The purpose of the dougong is to take in the shock from earthquakes and natural disasters if and when the building shakes. The temple itself is the focus of Buddhist worship and prayer. 

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By: Nathalia Munoz-Guzman

Inside this house, there is this arch on the doorway. This arch is slim but very tall.