Oriental Rugs Dictionary

Abbas, Shah

Shah Abbas , called “The Great” king of Persia, reigned from 1587 to 1629. In wars with the Uzbeks, Ottoman Turks and Portuguese, he consolidated the dominion of Persia from the Tigris to the Indus. His reign was distinguished by a magnificent court, the construction of mosques and public buildings and a great expansion of commerce. He stablished workshops which produced carpets for his palaces and for state gifts. Approximately 300 silk carpets woven during or shortly after his reign have survived. Most of these carpets have been attributed to Isfahan and Kashan.