Figurative Carpet Depicting the Story of Sheikh San‘an and the Christian Maiden at Niavaran Royal Palace Museum
Hour 12:07
31 Aug 25
This figurative carpet, illustrating the story of Sheikh San‘an and Dokhtar-e Tarsa (the Christian Maiden), is inspired by Mantegh ot-Teir by Attar Nishapuri and dates back to the late 19th century.
The carpet was woven in Ravar city of Kerman province, using wool and cotton threads. It has a knot density of 90 rows and measures 1.57 by 2.37 meters. It is currently exhibited at main hall of Niavaran Royal Palace Museum.
Sheikh San‘an and the Christian Maiden story is one of the most famous tales in Iranian literature, poetically rendered by Attar, the renowned Iranian poet. Over the past hundred years, this story has repeatedly inspired carpet designers in Kerman, resulting in numerous woven examples. To the extent that an independent group of figurative carpets from Kerman is dedicated exclusively to this design.
In this carpet, we observe a beautiful and finely woven example which, in addition to the main part, features borders adorned with images from the story. It is also embellished with a Robaei (A quatrain) from the poetry of Khayyam:
می خوردن من نه از برای طرب است نه بهر نشاط و ترک دین و ادب است
خواهم که به بیخودی برآرم نفسی می خوردن و مست بودنم زین سبب است
A significant design element in this carpet is the emphasis on the Zonnar (belt), which the Christian Maiden wears both in the central image and in several border illustrations. Zonar was a sash or belt worn by non-Muslims in Muslim-majority lands as a distinguishing mark. In this carpet, the maiden’s Zonnar is decorated with the famous Boteh Jegheh motif, one of the most prominent and recognized designs in the felt and carpets of Ravar.