The Turquoise Mihrab Carpet

By Master Yashar Malfouzi | Tabriz, Iran Handwoven & Relief-Cut | Wall-Hanging Carpet | Size: 100 × 155 cm | Warp & Weft: Pure Silk

The Turquoise Mihrab is a rare and exceptional masterpiece by the visionary artist Yashar Malfouzi, crafted in the historic city of Tabriz. Inspired by the enameled tilework of the Timurid era in Iran and Samarkand—particularly the exquisite turquoise decorations of the Shah Zendeh Mausoleum—this piece bridges centuries of cultural memory with modern craftsmanship.

Woven entirely by hand using the symmetrical (Turkish) knot, the carpet is made with pure silk warp and weft. The weaving process took one full year, followed by five months of intricate relief cutting, all done manually using a variety of traditional artisan scissors. This piece is designed as a wall-hanging artwork, not as a floor covering—highlighting its purely artistic and decorative nature. It is more than a textile: it is a woven canvas of light and spirit.

The semi-rectilinear composition evokes the symbolic growth of the paradise vine—a spiral, sacred arabesque—set against a glowing background of turquoise and earth tones. These tendrils, twisting gracefully around the central niche, symbolize fertility, transcendence, and the soul’s journey toward light. Fading from deep tones into brilliance, the vine metaphorically follows illumination, just as the seeker turns toward divine truth within the sanctuary of the mihrab.

In Islamic art, the mihrab is not only an architectural feature but a portal to the sacred—a space where the material gives way to the metaphysical. In this piece, the mihrab becomes a luminous focal point for contemplation and beauty. The dominant turquoise hue reflects both mystical serenity and the timeless aesthetics of Iranian-Islamic heritage—a color that connects sky and earth, form and meaning.

This carpet is not merely a decorative item; it is a visual narrative—a poetic echo of history, reimagined by the hand of a living master. Its design is exclusive to Yashar Malfouzi, making it a truly one-of-a-kind collector’s item—a singular piece of art for your wall, your gallery, and your legacy.

We have come from the heart of ancient civilizations to your future.