(#H1096) approx. 360x250cm Hand-knotted Isfahan (Isafahan), Kashan (Kashan) Persian carpet

Features

CARPETS FROM KASHAN

Some of the most amazing and popular carpets of the Iran come from the city Kashan. This carpet-making center is halfway on the Silk Road between Iran's present-day capital, Tehran, and the artistic and historical capital of Persia, Isfahan.

THE HISTORY OF KASHAN CITY

Located in central Iran in Isfahan Province, Kashan is one of the oldest cities in Iran. The region was one of the headquarters of prehistoric civilization. Archaeological excavations have revealed that there were settlements dating back to 4 BC at Sialk, just 6000 km from present-day Kashan. can be dated. The city of Kashan got its name from the first inhabitants, the Kasian people of Tapeh Sialk. Built on the edge of Iran's salt lake and desert, the climate is hot and dry, yet the city and its surroundings have been able to develop and prosper because the Cheshmeh ye Soleiman, known as Solomon's Spring, has supplied water to the region for thousands of years .
Some claim that the three wise men in the Bible came from Kashan. Whether this claim is true or not, the fact that it was made underscores the city's prestige and importance in earlier times.

CARPETS FROM KASHAN

Beautiful Kashan rugs have been made here since the 16th and 17th centuries under the Safavid dynasty. Many experts believe that some of the smallest silk patterns date from the early 16th century.
Kashan was a vacation spot for many Safavid era rulers, benefited from amazing architecture and the city is famous for its beautiful holiday homes. These architectural masterpieces served as inspiration for the Kashan carpets, just as the Kashan carpets served as inspiration for the architects and artists of the time. The carpets made in Kashan are often instantly recognizable and are among the most beautiful and famous of all Persian carpets.

The carpets made in Kashan are often instantly recognizable and are among the most beautiful and famous of all Persian carpets. When many people think of a Persian rug, the image of the traditional Kashan rug with its central medallion on a red field with navy blue and ivory borders comes to mind.

The rugs are knotted with the Persian (or asymmetric) knot, which is knotted with amazing regularity on a base (warp and weft) of cotton or, for the finest rugs, of silk. The city of Kashan and its surroundings are surrounded by the desert and therefore do not have a good source of local materials; Merino wool was originally imported from Manchester and used to make some of Iran's finest rugs.

More recently, carpets in Kashan were made with wool from Sabzevar, which produces one of Iran's finest wools. Today, one in three residents of Kashan is employed in carpet weaving. As in many cities in Iran, the Middle East and Asia, the carpet industry provides employment for much of the population, especially when you include the related industries from shepherding to packaging and delivery.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A KASHAN CARPET?

Kashan rugs tend to be of high quality, and many of them incorporate silk into their patterns. The base is usually cotton, but some of the finest examples can be made from pure silk. The wool should be soft and the hair should be tied tightly and evenly. The number of knots (KPSI) can range from 100 to over 800 per square inch for the most majestic and luxurious examples, often found in museums or private collections.

Most contemporary Kashan rugs share a similar design with a central medallion and Persian floral designs, largely incorporating the Shah Abassi pattern forming the weft, but as in most regions, designs can and will vary. The old Kashan carpets are among the most beautiful carpets in Iran, with natural dyes and amazing natural patinas. Popular colors are ivory, red, blue and soft shades of green. The city is home to Iran's oldest garden, the Fin Garden, which also serves as the muse for many of the city's motifs.

Material of the pile of Keshan carpets

The original Kashan rugs have a cotton base and a 100% wool pile. The hair is usually cut short to emphasize the intricacy of the patterns. Because these rugs are hand-knotted, it is not uncommon to find rugs of varying quality.

There is some variation, however, as some weavers use silk sheen in the pile. Some weavers have also used all-silk materials to make their rugs, but these are very rare.

Types of knots used to make Kashan carpets

Kashan rugs are typically woven with a type of asymmetrical double knot known as a Senneh-node is called.

The double knot and higher density make these rugs extremely durable.

Weaving techniques for Keshan carpets

Kashan rugs are woven on a special type of loom called "Dar". Weavers tie each knot using the Farsi or Persian knot technique, an asymmetrical style of weaving warp and weft yarns with two weft yarns sandwiched between the rows of knots.

Kashan carpet weavers have mastered this style and apply it skilfully and with great care, resulting in carpets of exceptional delicacy and finish. A look at the knots on the back of the rug can give you an idea of ​​the great care that went into making each knot.

Keshan rugs are some of the highest quality Persian rugs you can find. The materials and patterns of these rugs still reflect their origins today, when they were created specifically for the rulers of the Safavid dynasty, who expected nothing but the best.

Texture and specialty of Kashan

The combination of materials used by the weaver affects the texture of the final product. Kashan rugs feel soft despite their dense weave. This is a testament to the weavers' ability to achieve softness without sacrificing the durability of their creation. The use of vegetable dyes has also contributed to the unique texture of these rugs.

Materials of Kashan carpets

The weavers used different combinations of cotton, wool and silk in their creations. One of the most common combinations found in Kashan rugs is a cotton base covered with a soft wool pile. Some weavers added a subtle royal touch to their creations by weaving silk reflections into the pile. This small addition made a huge difference in the look, feel and value of the finished carpet.

Other weavers went a step further and used materials made entirely of silk in their creations. However, the use of materials made entirely of silk was not common due to the high cost of sourcing the materials.
Whether the rug is made of cotton, wool or silk, the one thing that remains constant about Kashan rugs is that only the highest quality materials are used. Merino wool imported from Britain was the material of choice for the first Kashan rugs, as weavers in Persia could not find wool of the same quality. This changed when weavers discovered an excellent quality wool made in the Iranian city of Sabzevar.

Unmistakable motifs from Kashan

Kashan rugs are immediately recognizable by their distinctive “medallion and wedge” type patterns. This pattern is inspired by the intricate motifs found in traditional Persian ornamentation.

The diamond-shaped medallion designs are woven amidst an equally intricate, garden-like background referred to as Shah Abbas' Field. Named after the Mughal ruler who was instrumental in popularizing Persian textile arts in the 17th century, the Shah Abbas field consists of a series of continuous, curvilinear floral shapes.

There are several variations on the basic pattern. The medallion and corner pattern consists of a central medallion surrounded by a colorful field of intertwined flowers and foliage. The flowers and foliage are shaped differently. They are represented by a mixture of single floral stems, flowers, rosettes and palmettes interspersed with curvilinear tendrils, sheaves and arabesques.

All of these elements are densely drawn around the central medallion. This arrangement and the colors used give the Kashan rugs their famously majestic appearance.