In Persian, Derakhshan means bright, radiant or luminous; the name was chosen for the woollen versions of this design to distinguish the way light is reflected by wool from the sheen of the silk versions named Derakhshandeh. The Derakhshan Carpet is a reinterpretation of motifs from Safavid-period carpets, set against a copper-coloured ground. Scrolling arabesque branches and blossoms in shades of blue and navy intertwine among the warm tones of the field, while a light, orderly border completes this lively and harmonious composition.
| Dimensions | 210 × 140 cm |
|---|
In the Derakhshan Carpet, the copper-coloured ground is covered with arabesque branches and abundant blossoms. Shades of blue and navy appear among the warm tones of the ground, while the symmetry of the motifs on either side of the longitudinal axis brings order to its richly detailed composition. The light border, with its repeated floral and geometric ornaments, softens the darkness and warmth of the central field, giving the carpet a balanced appearance. The design draws upon motifs found in Safavid-period carpets.
Three other versions of this design have also been woven within the Bordbar Collection: the Derakhshandeh Polonaise Carpet and the brown Derakhshandeh Carpet, both crafted in silk, and the Derakhshan Carpet with a cream ground, woven in wool. The difference in the lustre of silk and wool is also reflected in the naming of these works; the two silk versions are named Derakhshandeh, while the two woollen versions are named Derakhshan.
This carpet is woven from wool and cotton, originates from Heriz, and measures 210 × 140 cm.
