The Shah Abbas rug design palmette became one of the most frequently found motifs. It stood for the Empire and all that it represented. It is a common floral design element on many carpets produced during that time. It is also still incorporated in many Persian carpet designs of today. Sometimes, you will see it in the designs of carpets from other countries, but in this context, it has lost its original meaning and its connection with Shah Abbas.
It is worth noting that although the design represented Shah Abbas and his dynasty, it also appeared in many different forms. There are regional variations, and it is apparent that some used a bit of artistic expression in its creation. It appears as a fan of palm leaves that are often found in all-over and medallion designs. You will also sometimes see it in the border of the rug. They are most frequently found in the Oriental rugs of Isfahan, Kashan, Mashad, and Nain. It is most commonly found in the carpets of Tabriz.
It is often found alongside lotus motifs, peony flowers, and among saz-style leaves. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish the Shah Abbas palmette from a peony or lotus design. However, if the representation is a peony or lotus, it will often be a simple design. The Shah Abbas palmette is similar but has deeper layers, more leaves and more flourishes. It is more complex artistically than the floral representations.
Although it is most common in Persian traditional rugs, now you will sometimes see it in the older carpets of India, Pakistan, and China. It is a popular design that has migrated throughout the globe but remained eternally connected with the rise of the Safavid Dynasty and Shah Abbas.
We invite you to search our rugs online to see some of the beautiful antique Persian carpets that have the featured Shah Abbas Palmette rug design. Perhaps you will see one that you must have for your own collection.