Aesthetic Analysis of Carpet Designs in Illustrated Manuscripts of the Jalayerid Period (737–814 AH)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Prof, Department of Carpet, College of Applied Arts Shiraz University of Arts, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract

The study of Persian carpets prior to the Safavid period faces a major methodological challenge: the absence of surviving examples. From the early Islamic centuries to the sixteenth century, no complete carpets remain that could provide direct evidence of design traditions. Consequently, research in this field depends largely on indirect sources, primarily illustrated manuscripts and textual accounts such as travelogues, chronicles, and geographical writings. Yet these sources present significant difficulties: miniatures often stylize rather than meticulously document reality, while written descriptions are frequently fragmentary, selective, or even contradictory. Compared with other arts—such as architecture, ceramics, or metalwork—where abundant material evidence enables cross-verification, the study of carpets inevitably remains speculative and contested. The ephemeral nature of textiles, susceptible to decay and destruction, has left a profound lacuna in art historical knowledge, forcing scholars to develop innovative interpretive frameworks for analyzing limited and indirect evidence. Within this problematic framework, the Jalayerid period (1336–1432) acquires particular significance. The Jalayerids established political authority in Tabriz and attracted skilled artisans from the Rabʿ Rashidi complex. Their cultural patronage both ensured a crucial continuity with Ilkhanid traditions and encouraged new artistic tendencies. Although no physical Jalayerid carpets have survived, miniatures produced in this era serve as the only available visual evidence for reconstructing design features and aesthetic tendencies. This research aims to identify stylistic and aesthetic patterns of Jalayerid carpet design through a systematic analysis of these miniatures. Adopting a historical perspective and a descriptive–analytical method, it surveys all extant Jalayerid manuscripts containing depictions of carpets or floor coverings. Data were collected through a comprehensive review and analyzed qualitatively using a census sampling approach. This methodology allows for the recognition of both continuity and innovation within the visual corpus, providing a structured framework for interpretation. The findings reveal that Jalayerid carpet imagery preserves significant Ilkhanid features such as repeat‑unit structures, endless‑knot motifs, and hooked lozenges—testifying to the training of artists shaped by earlier dynasties. At the same time, clear innovations emerge: a transition from rigid geometric frameworks to fluid arabesques and vegetal scrolls, expanded chromatic experimentation, and a new emphasis on borders as creative zones. The evident parallels between carpet motifs and architectural ornament suggest the existence of a shared visual vocabulary across multiple artistic media, pointing toward an integrated aesthetic system that transcended individual art forms. In conclusion, the Jalayerid period should not be viewed merely as a transitional bridge between Ilkhanid and Timurid traditions. Instead, it represents a creative and dynamic phase in its own right, where exploratory practices laid the groundwork for Timurid achievements. Jalayerid contributions therefore occupy an independent and influential position in the broader history of Persian carpet design. Beyond this historical reassessment, the study demonstrates the interpretive value of miniatures in reconstructing lost traditions and highlights the methodological potential of visual analysis for addressing gaps where material evidence is absent. This approach offers a powerful model for scholars seeking to fill the void left by the destruction of historical artifacts.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

آژند، یعقوب. (1382). مکتب نگارگری بغداد (آل‌جلایر). هنرهای زیبا، 14 (14)، 83-92. https://journals.ut.ac.ir/article_10816.html بینیون، لورنس، ویلکینسون، جیمز استوارت و گری، بازل (1367). سیر تاریخ نقاشی ایرانی (محمد ایرانمنش، مترجم). انتشارات امیرکبیر. (چاپ اثر اصلی 1933)
پاکباز، رویین (1384). نقاشی ایرانی از دیرباز تا امروز. زرین و سیمین.
پرهام، سیروس و آزادی، سیاوش (1370). دستبافته‌های عشایری و روستایی فارس. امیرکبیر.
حصوری، علی (1376). فرش بر مینیاتور. فرهنگان. حصوری، علی (۱۳۷۱). نقش‌های قالی ترکمن و اقوام همسایه. انتشارات فرهنگان. رابینسن، بازیل ویلیام (1376). هنر نگارگری ایران (1350-1896/751-1313) (یعقوب آژند، مترجم). انتشارات مولی. (چاپ اثر اصلی 1982) رویمر، هانس روبرت (1379). تاریخ ایران (دورة تیموریان، پژوهش از دانشگاه کمبریج) (یعقوب آژند، مترجم). جامی. (چاپ اثر اصلی 1986)
شادلو، داود (1399). تحولات طراحی فرش با استناد به نگاره‌های مکاتب هرات و شیراز از نیمۀ دوم سدۀ نهم تا آغازین سال‌های سدۀ دهم در ایران. نگره، (15) 54، 55-75. https://www.doi.org/10.22070/negareh.2020.1238
شادلو، داوود؛ شیرازی، علی‌اصغر. (1388). طراحی و طراحان فرش در دربار اسکندرسلطان. نگره، 4(13)، 41-52. https://www.sid.ir/paper/142962/fa
شرویدر، اریک (1377). سرآمدان نقاشی ایرانی: احمدموسی و شمس‌الدین، دوازده رخ (یادنگاری دوازده نادره‌کار ایران) (ترجمه و تدوین یعقوب آژند). مولی. (چاپ اثر اصلی 1948)
شیرازی، علی‌اصغر؛ شادلو، داوود (۱۳۸۸). بررسی فرش‌های بازتاب یافته بر نگاره‌های شاهنامه بایسنغری. گلجام، ۵ (۱۴)، ۲۹-۵۰. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.20082738.1388.5.14.17.5
کنبای، شیلا (1381). نگارگری ایرانی (مهناز شایسته‌فر، مترجم). مؤسسه مطالعات هنر اسلامی. (چاپ اثر اصلی 1993)
گری، بازل (۱۳۸۵). نقاشی ایرانی (عربعلی شروه، مترجم). دنیای نو. (چاپ اثر اصلی 1930)
A Medical Consultation, From 'the book Of kalila and dimna' from 'the fables of bidpay. (2023). Fine Art America. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/f111-a-medical-consultation-from-the-book-of-kalila-and-dimna-from-the-fables-of-bidpay-islamic-school.html
Abouali, L., Ni, J., & Kaner, J. (2020). The evolution of Iranian carpet designs with the influence of Islam and Chinese art; Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid. Journal of History Culture and Art Research, 9(1), 494–506. https://dx.doi.org/10.7596/taksad.v9i1.2560
Azhand, Y. (2003). The Baghdad school of painting (Jalayirid) [Maktab-e negārgari-ye Baqdād (Āl-e Jalāyer)]. Honar-Ha-Ye-Ziba, 14(14), 83–92. https://journals.ut.ac.ir/article_10816.html (In Persian)
Binyon, L., Wilkinson, J. V. S., & Gray, B. (1988). Persian miniature painting [Seyr-e tārikh-e naqqāshi-ye Irāni] (M. Iranmanesh, Trans.). Amirkabir Publications. (Original work published 1933) (In Persian)
BnF Archives et Manuscrits. (n.d.). Kalila va Dimna. British National Formulary (BNF). https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b10091409b/f318.item
Briggs, A. (1940). Timurid carpets: I. geometric carpets. Ars Islamica, 7, 20–54. Canby, S. (2002). Persian painting [Negārgari-ye Irāni] (M. Shayestehfar, Trans.). Institute for Islamic Art Studies. (Original work published 1993) (In Persian) Forman, W. (2012). Manuscript illumination with depiction of a court scene. Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.de/detail/nachrichtenfoto/manuscript-illumination-with-depiction-of-a-court-nachrichtenfoto/152202585 Gray, B. (2006). Persian painting [Naqqāshi-ye Irāni] (A. Sherveh, Trans.). Donyaye No. (Original work published 1930) (In Persian)
Hasouri, A. (1992). Designs of Turkmen carpets and neighboring ethnic groups [Naqsh-hāye qāli-ye Torkaman va aqvām-e hamsāyeh]. Farhangan Publications. (In Persian) Hasouri, A. (1997). Carpet on miniature [Farsh bar miniātur]. Farhangan. (In Persian)
Jackson, P. (2014). Jalayerid (E. Yarshater, Ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kalila-wa-demna-iii La gynécologie et l'obstétrique. (n.d.). Sciences Arab Exp. https://www.sciencesarabexpo.org/catalogue/pagesfr/soigner/gyneco_a.html
Lentz, T., & Lowry, G. (1989). Timur and the princely vision: Persian art and culture in the fifteenth century. Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
O’Kane, B. (2014). Kalila wa demna iiiillustrations (E. Yarshater, Ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kalila-wa-demna-iii/ O’Kane, B. (2016). The Great Jalayirid Shāhnāma. In J. Gonnella, F. Weis, & C. Rauch (Eds.), The Diez Albums: Contexts and contents (Vol. 11, pp. 469–485). Brill.
Pakbaz, R. (2005). Persian painting from ancient times to today [Naqqāshi-ye Irāni az dirbāz tā emruz]. Zarrin va Simin. (In Persian)
Parham, S., & Azadi, S. (1991). Tribal and rural hand-weavings of Fars [Dastbāfteh-hāye ashāyeri va roustāyi-ye Fārs]. Amirkabir. (In Persian)
Robinson, B. W. (1997). Studies in Persian art [Honar-e negārgari-ye Irān (1350-1896/751-1313)] (Y. Azhand, Trans.). Mowla Publications. (Original work published 1982) (In Persian)
Roemer, H. R. (2000). The history of Iran (The Timurid period, research from Cambridge University) [Tārikh-e Irān (Doure-ye Teymuriān, pazhouhesh az dāneshgāh-e Cambridge)] (Y. Azhand, Trans.). Jami. (Original work published 1986) (In Persian).
Roland et Sabrina Michaud Collection. (n.d.). Ein fürst erteilt eine audienz. AKG Images. https://www.akg-images.de/search/AgAAAAAA8f9LYWxpbGEgdS4gRGltbmEAAAAAAAEL6P9Sb2xhbmQgJiBTYWJyaW5hIE1pY2hhdWQAAAAAAAAB
Rugs and textiles in jalayerid period manuscripts. (2013). Azerbaijan Rugs. https://www.azerbaijanrugs.com/manuscripts/oriental_manuscripts.htm
Schroeder, E. (1998). The masters of Persian painting: Ahmad Musa and Shams al-Din [Sarāmadān-e naqqāshi-ye Irāni: Ahmad Musa va Shams-al-Din] (Y. Azhand, Trans. & Ed.). Mowla. (Original work published 1948) (In Persian)
Shadloo, D. (2020). Developments in carpet design based on the paintings of Herat and Shiraz schools from the second half of the 9th to the early years of the 10th century in Iran [Tahavvolāt-e darrāhi-ye farsh bā estenād be negāreh-hāye makāteb-e Herat va Shiraz]. Negareh, 15(54), 55–75. https://www.doi.org/10.22070/negareh.2020.1238 (In Persian) Shadloo, D., & Shirazi, A. A. (2009). Carpet design and designers in the court of Iskandar Sultan [Tarrāhi va tarrāhān-e farsh dar darbār-e Eskandar Soltān]. Negareh, 4(13), 41–52. https://www.sid.ir/paper/142962/fa (In Persian)
Shirazi, A. A., & Shadloo, D. (2009). A study of carpets reflected in the paintings of the Baysonghor Shahnameh [Barresi-ye farsh-hāye bāztāb yāfteh bar negāreh-hāye Shāhnāmeh-ye Bāysonghor]. Goljaam, 5(14), 29–50. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.20082738.1388.5.14.17.5 (In Persian)
Sims, E. (2017). Carpets viii. the il-khanid and timurid periods (E. Yarshater, Ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/carpets-viii/
Soucek, P. P. (2018). Ahmad musa (E. Yarshater, Ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ahmad-musa-painter/
Von Bode, W. (1902). Vorderasiatische knüpfteppiche aus älterer zeit. Von Herman Seemann Nachfolger.
Williams, U. S. (2013). An illustrated 14th century khamsah by khvaju kirmani. The British Library. https://blogs.bl.uk/asian-and-african/2013/07/an-illustrated-14th-century-khamsah-by-khvaju-kirmani.html
Wing, P. (2016). The Jalayerids: Dynastic state formation in the Mongol Middle East. Edinburgh University Press.
Journal of Fine Arts: Visual Arts
Volume 31, Issue 1
May 2026
Pages 25-44

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics