This page is a tribute to Grand Masters Mohammad Seirafian and Ali Seirafian, the two living legendary icons behind the world renowned hand-woven Seirafian Rugs, the jewel of classical Persian rugs
اين صفحه به يادبود استاد محمد صيرفيان و استاد علی صيرفيان، بزرگترين اساتيد فرش ايران برپاشده است
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Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian
استاد محمد صيرفيان
Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian is the founder of the Seirafian Carpet along with his father Haj Reza Seirafian. He is truly the greatest designer and producer of the Persian Carpet of the twentieth century. He is also a scholar and philanthropist. In a tremendous act of generosity and without zero support from any governments, he donated his greatest ever masterpiece to the United Nations to bring the message of peace and unity with the rest of the world. This incredible masterpiece contains more than 1350 knots per every square inch and took 10 years to make. It is a testimony to the ability of the hardworking men and women of Iran
Recent photo of the Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian in Isfahan, March 2013
Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian
Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian, famed author of the Seirafian Carpets book and creator of one of the world's most precious rug (Oneness of Mankind) permanently exhibited in the United Nation
A recent photo of the Master Mohammad Seirafian posing with the poster of his masterpiece, the "Oneness of Mankind" rug placed permanently in the UN headquarter in New York.
Mohammad Seirafian's masterpiece, "Oneness of Mankind", in the UN Headquarters in New York. The 25 square meter rug contains the famous verse from the 12 century Iranian poet, Sa'di Shirazi. The verses of the famous poem, "Oneness of Mankind" is woven into the rug in pure gold.
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Beautiful Rugs by Mohammad Seirafian
No#009
Eleven Scenery Masterpiece
by Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian and design of Haj Mosavar
A beautiful masterpiece by Mohammad Seirafian entitled "eleven scenery" designed by the late Master Haj Mosavar. Various version of this design is made but this rug by Master Mohammad Seirafian is probably the most beautiful version existed in the world.
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This page is a tribute to Grand Masters Mohammad Seirafian and Ali Seirafian, the two living legendary icons behind the world renowned hand-woven Seirafian Rugs, the jewel of classical Persian rugs
اين صفحه به يادبود استاد محمد صيرفيان و استاد علی صيرفيان، بزرگترين اساتيد فرش ايران برپاشده است
اين صفحه به يادبود استاد محمد صيرفيان و استاد علی صيرفيان، بزرگترين اساتيد فرش ايران برپاشده است
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Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian
استاد محمد صيرفيان
Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian is the founder of the Seirafian Carpet along with his father Haj Reza Seirafian. He is truly the greatest designer and producer of the Persian Carpet of the twentieth century. He is also a scholar and philanthropist. In a tremendous act of generosity and without zero support from any governments, he donated his greatest ever masterpiece to the United Nations to bring the message of peace and unity with the rest of the world. This incredible masterpiece contains more than 1350 knots per every square inch and took 10 years to make. It is a testimony to the ability of the hardworking men and women of Iran
Recent photo of the Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian in Isfahan, March 2013
Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian
Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian, famed author of the Seirafian Carpets book and creator of one of the world's most precious rug (Oneness of Mankind) permanently exhibited in the United Nation
A recent photo of the Master Mohammad Seirafian posing with the poster of his masterpiece, the "Oneness of Mankind" rug placed permanently in the UN headquarter in New York.
Mohammad Seirafian's masterpiece, "Oneness of Mankind", in the UN Headquarters in New York. The 25 square meter rug contains the famous verse from the 12 century Iranian poet, Sa'di Shirazi. The verses of the famous poem, "Oneness of Mankind" is woven into the rug in pure gold.
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Beautiful Rugs by Mohammad Seirafian
No#009
Eleven Scenery Masterpiece
by Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian and design of Haj Mosavar
A beautiful masterpiece by Mohammad Seirafian entitled "eleven scenery" designed by the late Master Haj Mosavar. Various version of this design is made but this rug by Master Mohammad Seirafian is probably the most beautiful version existed in the world.
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No#008
Flower Carpet
by the Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian
(1982-1987)
In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful and genius design ever created in any handwoven Persian rugs I have ever come across.
This rug uniquely shows three very important historical events:
1- the year this rug is designed by the Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian in 1982
2-The location this rug is designed in Sharjeh, UAE, a few years after Mr Mohammad Seirafian was partly residing in UAE. Some of the most beautiful and genius designe were created by Mohammad Seirafian during those years; and
3- The year the rug was completer in 1987
This rug is woven by master Torabi under Mohammad Seirafian supervision.
The Flower Carpet is designed in a way to give an impression of 1/2 symmetry and balance, which brings the elegance and harmony in the design. However, when you look carefully you realize that except the border, the design is completely asymmetric and pictorial. The beautiful garden is designed by numerous flowers trees, and shrubs and a small beautiful oasis in the side. But unlike the typical pictorial design rugs which are often noisy and distracting, this rug has balance and harmony, with a clean and simple elegance. The rug has 1200 kheft, 900 KPSI and 120 KPSI made on silk foundation and 90 silk pile in the matrix and wool pile for the flowers. The rug is finished in such a way that the flowers are raised from the white silk background by a few centimeters. This makes a beautiful three dimensional effect to the flowers. The rug is made of all single kheft (knot) Persian asymmetric-style knots. This rug is featured in the Seirafian Carpet book.
very rare signature inside the rug indicates the year and location where the rug was designed. In 1982, shortly after revolution, Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian partly resided in Sharjeh UAE. This is when he started making his own designs. The rugs from this period are revolutionary in design and beauty.
Beautiful little oasis is masterfully inserted in the left side of the flower
medallion to fill in the gap and create a balance in the design.
The design of
the rug is done in such a way that medallion, corners and border are all
separated by the flowers and their leaves without using any line!!! This is
done in such a masterful way that one forgets the entire background is beige
and fields in the rug is separated only by variations in the flowers.
extremely rare and unique top signature by Mohammad Seirafian showing the year of completion (1987)
Raised wool flowers from the background beige silk.
Beautiful Persian Garden designed in a rug with spectacular
balance in structure and color composition. Perfect symmetry and balance is
implied from this 100% asymmetric pictorial design. If the grand designers of
the glorious Safavid rugs would have a chance to see this rug, they would
probably stand in awe!!!
This rug is woven by Ms Mahboubi. The original production tag is still on the rug!
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No#007
Unique Medallion and swirls design by the Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian
Price Upon Request
This rug is probably one of the last designs by Master Mohammad Seirafian. In his book, Seirafian Carpets, he has published only the design on the paper as probably the rug itself was under production. This 2.60 x 1.40 rug contains 1700 khefts and near 1000 KPSI (12-13 KPSC). It presents one of the most fascinating 1/4 asymmetric medallion and swirls design ever. He has incorporated beautiful features such as crowns in the medallion flowers in the swirls heads, and vase.lamps within the main body of the design. This gorgeous rug is made of more than 5 millions densely woven single khefts to perfection.
Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian posing with his beautiful masterpiece
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Grand Master Ali Seirafian
استاد علی صيرفيان
Master Ali Seirafian is the 5th son of Haj Agha Reza Seirafian. He and his older brother, are the only two living brothers from the original seven golden Seirafian brothers who helped father to establish the world-renowned Seirafian rug in Isfahan.
Grand Master Ali Seirafian
posing with his 2400 kheft, 6 aquare meter masterpiece (design by Ahmad Arzhang)
Master Ali Seirafian had a very simple but definitive answer when I asked him, "What has made the Seirafian rugs so famous?"
He replied, "There have never been any shortcuts in the craftsmanship; the quality has never been compromised. My father told me that if you ever want to aim for a less than perfect product, quit this job and save the honour of our name."
This simple advice became the Seirafians’ life motto, which made them put honesty and perfection ahead of short-term business profit. Seiraifans became synonymous with Persian Rugs, unrivalled in their quality, durability, beauty, and exquisite handiwork. For 33 years, after the turmoil of the revolution and war in Iran, Iranians living abroad proudly refer to their identity as Persian and reminisce of all the beauty that Persian rugs bring to the world. We would like to thank the Seirafians for that simple reason.
Grand Master Ali Seirafian (in the middle) with his two sons Master Mohammad Hussein Seirafian (on left) and Master Reza Seirafian both remarkable artists of the 3rd generation Seirafians
Master Ali Seirafian posing in front of his stunning masterpiece; 3500 kheft, 3x4m Karbasioon design rug
Master Ali Seirafian posing with his 2x3m masterpiece
Master Mohammad Hussein Seirafian the eldest son of the Grand Master Ali Seirafian
Master Mohammad Hussein Seirafian the second son of the Grand Master Ali Seirafian
The cute 4th generation Seirafians
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Beautiful Rugs by Ali Seirafian
No#006
Stunning 2400 kheft (~1000 knots per square inch) Masterpiece by the Grand Master Ali Seirafian
Stunning Persian Rug; one of the very last creation of the Grand Master Ali Sirafian of Isfahan. This 6 square meter rug has 2400 kheft; an unbelievable 1000 knots per square inch, testimony to the mastery of Mr Sirafian. The colors, design, and execution of this masterpiece is simply stunning.
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Stunning masterpiece by the Grand Master Ali Seirafian
Beautiful design by master Ahmed Archeng,
Marvelous herbal colors with beautiful composition of the red from rubia, and natural indigo blue
Perfection in alignments and the geometry of the rugs, the stunning result of 9 million hand knots in this masterpiece
Authentic copy proof Ali Seirafian signature on top of the rug
Gorgeous medallion with the most perfect execution
A marvelous masterpiece of the Grand Ali Seirafian; spectacular composition of the beautiful design by Ahmed Archeng, and ~9 million pure hand knots by masterful hands of the Persian weavers on the most superb material rooted in centuries of Persian art.
perfect alignments
A perfectly uniform weave make both sides look the same
Here is how a 1000 knots per square inch Isfahan masterpiece looks. I wonder if world would ever see such a wonder after Seirafians.
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No#005
Extremely Rare, 1/2 asymmetric, 1200 kheft (~900 KPSI) Zaronim by Grand Master Ali Seirafian
This beautiful zaronim rug (~1 x 1.7 m) depicts one of the rarest design, inspired by those of the ancient Josheghan Rugs. The design is also called "Haj Khanomi" or the grandmother design. The dark green field, with spectacular blue borders together make one of the rarest color composition we have seen. This masterpiece is made on a 1/2 asymmetric plot, with spectacular 1200 khefts, all in single kheft, Persian knots with superb wool pile on all silk warp.
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No#004
Beautiful 1200 kheft Ruby Medallion Zaronim
Another stunning classic medallion and swirls design Isfahan rug By Grand Master Ali Seirafian. Thanks to the Seirafians and Archang for the most perfect execution of this beautiful design. 1200 kheft (knots per row) zaronim rug (1.10 x 1.70 m), ¼ asymmetric Isfahan design from the late master Ahmad Archang.
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
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No#003
Beautiful 2400 kheft (~900 knots per square inch) Masterpiece by Master Reza Seirafian
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No#002
Garden Design, 1600 kheft asymetric ghaliche (1.60 x 2.40 m) Pair by Master Mohammad Hussein Seirafian
This stunning rug depicts the beautiful Garden Design (golo bolbol) by the legendary Haj Mosavar.
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No#001
Beautiful Gol Panbe 1200 kheft 1/2 asymetric vase design zaronim by Master Mohammad Hussein Seirafian
This beautiful rug is designed by the legendary designer Akbar Minaian. Master Seirafian devised a very unique dying technique to give a beautiful texture to the blue matrix. The intentionally incomplete dying process would give white spot pattern within the blue matrix, and make a "metallic" effect in the blue. The result is stunning, with a unique colors, which is vibrant yet elegant.
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Famous Designers of the Seirafian Rugs
Grand Master Haj Mosaver-al-Molki, the legendary designer of the pictorial rugs who collaborated with Seirafians for many years to create some of the most beautiful Persian rugs ever created
Grand Master Archang, another legendary designer of Isfahan rugs who collaborated with Seirafians extensively
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In an incredible act of generosity, Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian donated his greatest master piece carpet to the United Nations as a gift, carrying massage of peace and unity from his great compatriots and peace loving people of Iran to the rest of the world. This stunning rug took near 10 years to complete.
His letter to the Secretary General Kofi Annan shows the greatness of this master and serves as incredible historical evidence. He did not receive any support from any governments for this work. Master Seirafian will go down in history as one of the greatest Iranian artist. You can also see the copy of Kofi Annan's letter to the Grand Master acknowledging his gift to the United Nations.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr. Kofi Annan's Letter to Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian acknowledging his present to the United Nations
Master Mohammad Seirafian's cover letter to the United Nations sent along with his magnificent donation
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Haj Reza Seirafian and seven golden Seirafian brothers
photo from the Seirafian Carpets book by Mohammad Seirafian
Biography
The Seirafian Carpet was established in 1939 by Haj Agha Reza Seirafian in Isfahan. Haj Reza was a reputable banker and businessman without any prior experience in carpet production. His involvement in the carpet production was a mere coincidence.
His businessman friend and colleague express interest on his fine collection. Being a good friend and a true Persian gentleman he offers his entire collection to him. He then decides to recollect, but he found it very difficult as the quality of the carpets at the time were poor. He stepped in to help the family of a weaver who died in a climbing accident to complete the rugs under production in the hope that they can pay off their loan. This was when he faced the problems involving the production at the time. He then decides to produce the perfect carpet for himself. This is when he hires the best designers, dye masters, and weavers with rigorous quality control to make his wish true. At the time, his early productions cost him several times more than the market values. However, the words about the quality of his rugs spread around and Seirafian became synonymous with the quality.
Many carpet dealers would like to attribute their carpets to Haj Reza to give more historical and antique value to their stock. It should be noted that the very first Seirafian carpet produced in 1939 was in fact production of his second son Mater Mohammad Seirafian. Although Haj Reza established the business, his elder sons, most notably Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian introduced the very first Seirafian carpets. The most famous and desirable Seirafian rugs such as Golo Bolbol (Garden design) and Hunting scène (Shekargah) was first produced by Mohammad Seirafian with his collaboration with the Legendary Haj Mosavar, the Isfahan’s best painter and designer of the time. The classical Seirafian rugs were mostly designed by the Legendary Late Ahmad Archang. Therefore it is perhaps more accurate to say that Haj Reza and his sons together founded the Seirafian workshop with perhaps greatest impact by Grand Master Mohammad Seirafian.
Haj Agha Reza Seirafian's seven sons are:
• The Late Master Mohammad Ali Seirafian
• Master Mohammad Seirafian
• The Late Master Sadegh Seirafian
• The Late Master Ahmad Seirafian
• Master Ali Seirafian
• The Late Master Hossien Seirafian
• Master Hassan Seirafian
There are also about 24 Grandsons who reportedly many produced carpets in their own name. Some are considered active producers and others have produced in the past with no current commercial production. The most notable third generation Seirafians are:
• Mohammad Seirafian (Mojtaba Seirafian; Bagher Seirafian; Mehdi Seirafian)
• The Late Master Sadegh Seirafian (Amir Naser; Mahmoud; Karim; Mohammad Mehdi)
• Ali Seirafian (Mohammad Hussein Seirafian; Reza Seirafian)
Mohammad Seirafian's son Master Bagher produces excellent carpets with similar quality to those of his father. Sadegh Seirafian’s son, Master Karim Seirafian is also a notable producer and active in exhibitions. He is an outstanding master with great attention to details and beautiful innovations. Ali Seirafian’s sons, Masters Mohammad Hussein and Master Reza are also active producers and perhaps more accessible with their established store in Isfahan Bazar. They both follow the father’s classical work. Reza Seirafian has great taste for colours, with some outstanding examples reported in this site. We have not yet seen and examined any examples from the other 3rd generation except a few photos which are difficult to judge.
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Funny Fake Seirafian!!!!
This is the funniest fake Seirafian I have ever seen. They stitched the fake signature on the wrong side of the rug. Signature is supposed to be at the bottom of the rug. These folks didn't pay attention and put it on the top of the rug.
