The field guide · Motifs

Shah Abbasi (palmette) شاه عباسی

Shah Abbasi ('of Shah Abbas') describes designs built from palmettes, blossoms and cloud bands of the kind associated with Safavid carpets. The palmette itself is a fan-shaped flower, somewhat like a lotus seen in section. Today the style is closely tied to town workshops such as Isfahan, Nain, Kerman and Tabriz.

Also palmettes · gol-e eslimi

See also Eslimi (arabesque), Afshan, Rosette

Last reviewed

Shah Abbasi: a detail of Super Fine Nain 4 La Persian Rug Ivory Field with Shah Abbasi Medallion
Detail from Super Fine Nain 4 La Persian Rug Ivory Field with Shah Abbasi Medallion →
In the collection

Shah Abbasi, in the collection.

Nain Persian runner
Nain 9 La Persian Runner Ivory Field with Shah Abbasi Medallions, c. 1980s–1990sN° 001
275 × 87 cm
Nain · Third Quarter 20th Century
$2,590AUD
Fine Bakhtiari Persian Rug with Ivory Medallion
Fine Bakhtiari Persian Rug with Ivory Medallion and Scrolling Palmette BorderN° 002
255 × 164 cm
Bakhtiari · Vintage · Mid 20th Century
$7,790AUD
Super Fine Nain 6 La Persian Carpet Ivory Field With Shah Abbasi
Super Fine Nain 6 La Persian Rug Ivory Field with Shah Abbasi Medallion, c. 1980sN° 003
297 × 192 cm
Nain · Fourth Quarter 20th Century
$11,590AUD
Browse the collection →All terms in the field guide