Shah-Abbas the great chose the city of Isfahan as the capital during the Safavid dynasty. He built many magnificent buildings and mosques in the city. Shah-Abbas, like other rulers of this dynasty, patronized Persian artists and established several court workshops. From that era until modern times, Isfahan has kept its reputation for creating fantastic pieces of art, including fine rugs.

The Second World War caused serious damage to the trade and industry of the market in Isfahan and the world market. The fame and trade of Isfahan rugs that were at the forefront of all other rugs in Persia began to decline and the business was at a standstill.

Fortunately, at present, the quality of the dyestuffs and fibers used for the rugs in this area has improved. By re-starting many weaving factories and creating marvelous and fine woven pieces, Isfahan has regained its well-known celebrity.

In the past years and even at present the artists of Isfahan often design draw their sketches from the diaphoretic and simple glazed tiles of historical buildings. The patterns mostly used in Isfahan rugs are Shah-Abbasi medallion and corner, Eslimi medallion and corner, trees and animals, overall Shah-Abbasi and geometrical medallion and corner.

Isfahan was one important center for the cultivation of various plants used in dyeing. Madder, as well as wild plants containing colored products can now be found in its mountains and deserts.

At the time, due to their abundance, a lot of natural colors were used in the dyeing centers. At present, however, large quantities of dyestuffs, particularly chromatic compounds are used for dyeing the fibers of the rugs. The numbers of the dyestuffs in Isfahan rugs are mostly in beige, buff-white, red, dark blue, and turquoise.

The wool used for weaving is obtained from Kerman, Yazd, Khorasan, Kermanshah, and other sources. Isfahan rugs are amongst the best Persian products and are hard-wearing and they are very decorative.

The piles of good quality Isfahan rugs are thick and made of Down the foundation are of cotton, the finest ones are woven on silk.

Trailer of "The Poot", a 2009 documentary about Persian hand-knotted rugs by Elham Asadi. Selected and screened at Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festivals (IDFA).