Arjiman

Inspired by the border designs of *Arjiman* carpets, some of the finest examples of the Shirvan carpet school, this piece pays homage to a tradition adored since the Middle Ages. Western travelers have long praised the artistic qualities of Shirvan rugs, and Renaissance painters frequently featured them in their work. The borders were believed to protect the central images and designs—the “heart” of the carpet. The four sides of the Arjiman borders symbolize the four corners of the world, while the four arcs represent ram horns. Rams and sheep (Ovis aries) were vital to the livelihood of Eurasian nomads, symbolizing fertility and wealth.