Yashar Malfouzi

 

Yashar Malfouzi, a master of Carpet embossing, has carried forward the legacy of Four generations of expert Carpet weavers and sellers. From a young age, his passion for carpet weaving led him to the Tabriz Cultural Heritage Office, where he completed his training in less than two years, reaching Mastery at an exceptional pace. Despite the complexity of embossing, Malfouzi taught himself the craft through keen observation and mental practice. His first attempt at embossing a “Qul Huwa Allah” carpet was so remarkable that his father encouraged him, saying, “Perhaps you will keep my name alive.”

After mastering weaving, Malfouzi turned to dyeing and other related techniques, determined to control every aspect of the craft. Over time, his love for design led him to pursue academic studies, earning a master’s degree in art history. This expanded his vision of Persian carpets, inspiring him to create embossed designs that narrate tales of Iranian myths and history. His work has been recognized in numerous national and international festivals. He won First place at the IRCICA Creativity and Innovation Festival of Islamic Arts and secured top honors at Iran’s National Carpet Festival for two consecutive years. To date, he has commercially embossed more than 30,000 decorative carpets—each infused with the spirit and identity of his homeland.

Malfouzi believes carpets speak to us, and their motifs must be read. He sees embossing and storytelling as elevating Persian carpets from floor coverings to works of art displayed on walls. His Greatest dream is to create an embossed design of the legendary “Baharistan” carpet, a treasure of the Sassanid era. With numerous accolades, including Japan’s Seto Toyama International Handicrafts Award, and participation in prestigious exhibitions, Yashar Malfouzi has become a renowned name in the world of Persian carpet artistry. His creations, blending tradition with innovation, bring the culture and history of Iran to life in a truly unique way.

Memory of the Carpet That Spoke to Me :

I was eighteen, sitting in my father’s carpet shop, when I noticed a man carrying a small, emerald-green rug, about 70 by 70 centimeters, tucked under his arm, wandering through the Tabriz carpet bazaar. The color and design of the rug were enchanting—like something from a dream. Without thinking, I followed him, watching as fate led him into my uncle’s shop, where he sold the rug.

Desperate to have it for just one night, I pleaded with my uncle until he agreed. I borrowed 2,000 tomans from my father and bought a carpet-finishing scissors from the market. At home, I begged my mother to let me bring a piece of wood from storage so I could use it as a work surface in the yard. I still remember it clearly—the scorching midday of August, when I began embossing the sunburst “Qul Huwa Allah” motif. Time vanished as my hands worked tirelessly. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I looked up, evening had fallen, and my father stood there, watching me.

He asked, “Where did you learn this?”

I could only answer, “I don’t know. It was in my mind.”

He smiled, his voice filled with warmth. “Perhaps you will keep my name alive.”

That moment stayed with me forever—the day a carpet spoke to me, and I finally understood that some things are learned not by instruction, but by instinct.

Yashar Malfouzi