Kilim Soumak Shahsavan Silk Iran 146 X 99 Cm

Soumak shahsavan Iran silk, cotton warp, 1990. Very good condition.

Beautiful shahsavan in zaronim format consisting of six medallions surrounded by a multitude of zoomorphs including four larger roosters. In the border, we find the 'star of Medes' motif.
Soumak: wrapped weft weaving technique. The technique differs from the technique of other kilims. The weft threads wrap around the warp threads forming the decoration and a weave with an embroidered appearance. The wires on the back of the soumak, more or less long, were left intentionally and served as insulation.

SHAHSAVAN (those who love the Shah)
The territory of the shahsavans is located south and west of the Caspian Sea, in Iranian Azerbaijan. Shahsavan: title granted by Shah Abbas the Great (1588-1629), Safavid* sovereign, in opposition to the Qizilbashs (red heads). The Qizilbashs: confederation formed by several Turkish groups of Turkmen origin who were at the origin of the Safavid dynasty founded in 1501 by Shah Ishmael (Shiite). The greedy and corrupt qizilbashs wanted to gain power. It is for this reason that Shah Abbas appealed to all ethnic groups who wished to form a confederation opposing the qizilbashs. The Shahsavan confederation was born. It consisted of a significant number of qizilbashs who had remained loyal to Shah Abbas, Persian-speaking (Tajik: non-Turkish) tribes as well as Kurds. In exchange for their loyalty, the Safavid rulers granted the shahsavans privileges.
*Safavid: dynasty founded in 1501 by Shah Ishmael (Shiite) and which ended in 1732.

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