Eric Iravani
Eric Iravani is the son of M. Iravani and his wife, S. Sohrabi. His parents were known as the premier rug makers in Iran (Persia), the oldest and once most powerful empire in the Middle East. Under the Safavid Dynasty (1502-1736), the Iravani family attained its artistic height rug weaving. In the 20th century, they developed highly qualified carpet factories in the cities of Kerman, Isfahan, Kashan, Tabriz, and Herat. Over the centuries, the Iravani's were responsible for creating treasured heirlooms passed on from one generation to the next.
The family thrived during the Persian carpet export boom in the 16th century. Starting in the 1850s, the Iravani's established new factories in Mashed, Tabriz, Kerman, and Sultanabad (now Arak), thereby ensuring the art form's continued development. Under Reza Shah Pahlavi, the Iravani's were hired to establish royal factories to utilize the finest materials and methods of manufacture.