Tabriz, the major city of Persian Azerbaijan and first capital of the Safavid Empire at the beginning of the 16th century, has always been known for the production of carpets. The arrival of some European companies in the second half of the 19th century soon made it the most important centre in Persia for the weaving of knotted carpets for the western market. The small prayer rug is a typical example of Tabriz production and draws on Ottoman-Turkish models. 

Alberto Boralevi