Analytical Semiotics on Motifs of Garden-Carpet of Zand Era

Gardencarpet is one of the noteworthy designs in the history of Iranian art. In the «Zand» era (12thcentury AH / 18thcentury AD) a framework of various motifs was provided for this type of carpet. These motifs are composed in such a way that while maintaining traditional patterns, new outcomes are achieved. This research uses descriptive-analytical method to case study of an example of a Zand era garden carpet. The data were collected from library sources and field research by means of documentary sources, note taking and observation of the available carpets in the Carpet Museum of Iran and overseas museums such as the Metropolitan, Islamic Art in Berlin, Victoria and Albert, Brooklyn and Hermitage. The analysis of designs shows that the symbolic motifs imply the mythical concepts and conceptually relate to one another. Motifs of the of «Zand» erain the garden carpet are inspired by the formal and thematic elements of the past patterns. These elements, in addition to repeating the traditional motifs, were creative in composition of designs.