Jameel Gallery 2-3 Lengths of Velvet with Flowers Iran, probably Isfahan 1600-1700 When Shah Abbas I made Isfahan his capital shortly before 1600, he developed the city as a centre of luxury textile production. Silk velvets were made in abundance, both for local use and for export. Many had floral patterns, some composed of fantastic blossoms (2), others of flowers closer to nature (3). Silk velvet Museum nos. 286-1894, 717-1899 [Jameel Gallery] VELVET Persian; 16th -17th century. Flowering plants in silk pile of five colours, now faded. [Old label]