Frequently Asked Questions
- Original name: فرش کاشان
Alternative name(s): Keshan, Qashan, Cassan
- What is a Kashan Rug?
Kashan is one of the rare carpet provenances with a reputation to match. Kashan is synonymous with the highest quality craftsmanship and traditional production methods. The Ardebil rug, which may be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, has been knotted in this city halfway between Isfahan and Tehran. Kashan was regarded as one of the most important trading centres in the Persian Empire, and it is still a part of the famed Silk Road.
However, the significance of this location has dwindled in recent years but it still has an excellent reputation for making oriental rugs.
- Origin: Iran (Isfahan)
Kashan is a city in the northern part of Isfahan province of Iran. It is famous for weaving Persian Kashan rugs to this day with Antique Kashan rugs also known for their excellent quality and dense knotting.
- Common Designs: Medallion
For many people, a Persian rug conjures up images of the traditional Kashan rug, which features a central medallion on a crimson field with navy and ivory borders.
There are numerous knotted patterns to choose from. Medallions, floral embellishments and all over motifs can be found in these rugs.
Other motifs were shown in the field, such as animals or hunting patterns and poetry was sometimes woven into the borders. These wonderful weavings are significant works of art that may be found in museums and private collections all around the world.
- Common colours: Blue, Crimson, Ivory
The blue, crimson, beige and ivory colours used in these Persian carpets are the classic colour combination but you can also get cream Kashan rugs with a green and blue central medallion, an all over design and floral ornaments.
- Material: Cotton, Wool
Cotton is used for the warp and weft on these rugs, while high-quality sheep's wool is used for the pile. Silk is rarely used to weave a Kashan rug but those that exist are among the finest rugs.
- Kashan Rug Characteristics
Kashan carpets are among the most gorgeous and well-known of all Persian rugs and are easily identifiable.
Kashan carpets were formerly prevalent on palace walls throughout the world, as they were prized by monarchs. It is also known as "the palace carpet" because of this. Kashan rugs are still made according to the ancient masters' time-honoured techniques, using the same fundamental designs. Kashan carpets are woven with intense Persian knots, resulting in a beautiful work of art.
The thick knotting of Persian knots results in carpets that will last for decade after decade.
- The History Of Antique Persian Kashan Rugs
Archaeological findings in the Sialk hills indicate that this location was formerly home to prehistoric humans, making it one of Iran's earliest towns. Kashan had a well-established silk area rug business as early as the 17th century.
Beautiful Kashan carpets have been made since the Safavid era in the 16th and 17th centuries. Many academics claim that some of the smaller silk motifs date from the early 16th century, making the carpets from this city renowned on the market.
Kashan was a favourite vacation spot for many Safavid monarchs, thanks to its beautiful architecture. The city is known for its beautiful holiday mansions. These architectural marvels inspired Kashan rugs, just as the rugs of Kashan served as inspiration for the builders and painters of the time.
Kashan resurfaced as a significant carpet weaving hub in Persia in the second part of the nineteenth century and has remained popular throughout the western world.