Inspired by the legendary Safavid Polonaise carpets of 17th-century Persia, this rug is a refined modern interpretation hand-knotted by master artisans in northern Afghanistan. The original Polonaise carpets—woven in silk and enriched with gold and silver threads—were among the most prestigious court weavings of the Safavid era and were historically created for royal patronage and European nobility.

This contemporary Afghan example honors that extraordinary legacy through its balanced symmetry, flowing floral arabesques, and luminous surface. While remaining faithful to the classical Safavid design language, it is intentionally woven with durability and livability in mind, making it suitable for both elegant interiors and long-term use.

The rug is woven using wool from sheep raised at elevations exceeding 1,000 meters, where cooler climates and rugged terrain naturally produce fleece rich in lanolin. This lanolin—carefully preserved by skilled Afghan women during traditional spinning and knotting—plays a vital role in the rug’s long-term performance. It enhances the wool’s elasticity, resilience, and resistance to wear, allowing the pile to recover gracefully from compression and retain its structure over time. Traditional dyes are employed to achieve soft ivory grounds, warm reds, muted blues, and subtle metallic impressions evocative of historic silk-and-metal Polonaise carpets, without attempting to replicate or imitate precious metal content.

Woven entirely by hand, this carpet reflects the continuity of Persian artistic tradition as preserved and reinterpreted by Afghan weavers, whose craftsmanship today sustains many of the great classical designs no longer produced in their original form.

This piece should be understood as a modern homage, not an antique—created to celebrate one of the most iconic achievements of Safavid textile art while offering collectors an accessible, honest, and beautifully made work of functional art.

Historical Context

In 2021, an important 17th-century Safavid silk Polonaise carpet achieved international recognition when it was sold at Christie’s, reinforcing the museum-level status of these masterpieces. Click here to view the original 17 century masterpiece: Christie’s