My most beloved parents gave me this lovely Isfahan Persian rug for my birthday long time ago when I was visiting them. I have it in my bedroom so I can look at it every morning when I open my eyes. It has silk foundation , with silk and kork (baby lamb's wool) pile. It has about 100 knots per square cm.
As I look at this beautiful piece of art, I think "to me" ( I am not generalising) there is nothing sweeter , lovelier and more fascinating than a persian home .
A persian home reminds me of pretty hand made rugs picked up by your loved ones for memorable occasions, persian handicrafts hanging or sitting everywhere, exotic smell of a persian kitchen , the irreplaceable privilege of having your caring loving persian parents, books of Hafez, Khayam and Ferdowsi, classic persian music in the air, a small pound with blue mosaics and the sight of a vine tree in a garden …
That is what this loving rug reminds me of: HOME !
Look at it. It is all there .. I can even hear the birds. I can see myself playing in the garden, making little boats with walnut shells and throwing them into the blue pound, eating unripe grapes, and taking my dolls for a picnic ..
If you study persian rugs (or any persian art for that matter - for example persian poetry), you immediately realise that being a persian, is not just a nationality. It is also a way of life, a way of being, feeling, and seeing.
When you are from an ancient sophisticated culture , you are like an old tree, with thick long roots . No thing can ever unroot you even if you spend most of your life being away from your home !
I wish the world were able to see Persia beyond its sad days…
Thanks mom and dad for giving me a persian home and this persian rug is its picture. You gave me the knowledge, the love, and the bringing up so I can keep my persian home at heart. With that in heart, I am as good as a king.
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By the way, if you are visiting Iran, visit Isfahan, go to the old Persian rug bazar (behind Naghshe Jahan Square) and just give your eyes a great pleasure (even if you cannot afford to buy any rug).Hint #1: Always haggle ! specially with my fellow cool Isfahanies!
Hint #2: Always look at those rugs , sellers hang on their walls . They are often (not always) among the best they have.
Hint #3: If the rug is course or it does not have silk foundation, there is a great likelihood that it is not from Isfahan but a nearby village for example Najaf Abad.
Hint #4: Always ask the seller to write in the receipt that it is from Isfahan. Isfahan rugs are "among" the most expensive rugs you might find anywhere on the planet (per square meter).
I will be in Isfahan from 17 to 19th April ... and I will definitely buy one Isfahan carpet. Unfortunately I will be there by myself. Hopefully I will be able to get a fair deal.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post very much. The recollections of your homeland and culture are a great reminder for all of us to cherish the traditions that contribute so much quality to our daily lives. As you mention, the garden, birds singing, a pond or fountain, family and flowers are simple pleasures all can enjoy. Thank you for sharing these thoughts and I look forward to picking up some Persian poetry.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kellie for your kind words. I totally agree with you about simple pleasures. I am sure you will enjoy Persian poetry.
ReplyDeleteYou can read some Persian poetry translations in English from this website that I accidentally found:
http://www.persianpoetryinenglish.com
I guess you might like Sohrab Sepehri (modern poet). He has an eye for simple pleasures and he is very inspired by the nature :)
In addition, Ahmad Shamlou (modern) is a great poet, very socially conscious.
Among others on that website, Rumi is very spiritual and his poetry is very universal and musical(well music get lost in translation). Hafez is very romantic, very delicate and artistic in his language. He is considered to be poet of poets among Persians! He is my best friend (lived 700 years ago).