The Markarian Foundation Lecture–Woven Ground: Safavid Carpets in Context with Margaret Squires, PhD

Iran’s Safavid period (1501–1722) marks a Golden Age in the art of carpet weaving. Long appreciated by scholars and connoisseurs for their intricate patterns, rich hues, and fine weaves, Safavid carpets are rarely considered in the contexts for which they were originally made. In this lecture, Margaret Squires will draw on her recently completed doctoral research to explore the integral role of carpets in Iranian palaces, shrines, and garden pavilions of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Her presentation will reveal not only the artistic sophistication of carpet weaving in this period, but the social and cultural significance of the medium as well. About the speaker: Margaret Squires, PhD, is an Associate Lecturer at The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK. Her research centers on the arts of early modern Iran, with a particular focus on carpets and textiles.