Your Guides: Atul Saranathan, Madison Armbruster, Tyler Dechter
Persian and Turkish societies have intermingled for years either as part of a singular empire (i.e. Seljuk) or through trade, Turkish migration to Persia in the 10th century, and war (i.e. Ottomans vs. Safavids). Through these interactions, culture has diffused between the two groups; they share similar carpet-weaving styles as well a common religion, Islam - among other things.
More specifically, the shared use of the Ghiordes/Turkish and Persian/Senneh knot as well as Islamic art fundamentals** shows an interaction and sharing of ideas between these cultures through an art form, rug weaving, which was introduced to the Middle Eastern and Turkish regions by Cyrus the Great, ruler of the Achaemenid Empire - which encompassed both modern day Turkey and Iran; however, nomadic tribes in both regions had been known to have practiced rug-weaving even before the common era. The introduction of carpet weaving to these two regions catalyzed the rapid growth of weaving as an art form and cultural symbol.
While Persian and Turkish rugs have their differences, they have shared characteristics as well; we will take a look at each form of weaving individually, then we will analyze artistic (rug) interactions between the two groups.
** The absence of human and animal figures in carpet weaving and art in general/the use of geometric figures in carpet weaving and art in general.
More specifically, the shared use of the Ghiordes/Turkish and Persian/Senneh knot as well as Islamic art fundamentals** shows an interaction and sharing of ideas between these cultures through an art form, rug weaving, which was introduced to the Middle Eastern and Turkish regions by Cyrus the Great, ruler of the Achaemenid Empire - which encompassed both modern day Turkey and Iran; however, nomadic tribes in both regions had been known to have practiced rug-weaving even before the common era. The introduction of carpet weaving to these two regions catalyzed the rapid growth of weaving as an art form and cultural symbol.
While Persian and Turkish rugs have their differences, they have shared characteristics as well; we will take a look at each form of weaving individually, then we will analyze artistic (rug) interactions between the two groups.
** The absence of human and animal figures in carpet weaving and art in general/the use of geometric figures in carpet weaving and art in general.
Shahanshahi. Cyrus the Great. Digital image. PIY Iranian Calendar. Iran Politics Club, 24 Nov. 2006. Web. 8 Dec. 2014.