Persian Carpets The history of handmade Persian carpets, renowned for their quality and artistic expression, extends back two and a half millenia. Originally made as practical floor coverings to ensure warmth for the nomadic tribes in winter months, they developed into works of art as the tribes saw their potential for decoration. Thereafter, the use of carpets as both practical and decorative items extended to settled societies and history records that magnificent carpets were a feature of the court of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae, although the oldest surviving carpet of ancient Persia dates only to the fifth century BC.  Carpet weaving reached its zenith under the Safavid Shah Abbas in the 16th century when he established a royal factory in his capital Isfahan and encouraged the development of the industry through the setting-up of regional workshops that depended on town-based craftsmen rather than nomads. This magnificent period of Persian carpet making - which saw them attain great favour in the European courts - came to an end at the beginning of the 18th century with the sacking of Isfahan by the Afghans, and the incessant demand from the West for Persian carpets saw the advent of inferior product which brought about the near demise of the industry in Persia. Revival came at the beginning of the 19th century under the Qajar dynasty which was an enthusiastic supporter of the arts. Today, the great centres of carpet making include Qom, Na'in, Kerman and Kashan while famous tribes long associated with the weaving of carpets include the Qashqai and the Bakhtiari. A visit to the Carpet Museum in Tehran is a must for lovers of the Persian carpet, and will immediately convert those who previously had no interest in the subject. A carpet fair is also held in Tehran in August. Picture Gallery Bakhtiari Carpet Isfahan Carpet Shah Abbasi design Kashan Pictorial Rug Qashqai Rug Senneh Prayer Rug