Kashan Rugs

In this section:

History / Background
Kashan is a city in North Central Iran. We know that there was production of Persian Carpet at Royal workshops in the 17th and early 18th century. Many authors attribute Persian Rugs and Carpet to Kashan in the 16th century particularly of the so-called small silk Kashan Persian Carpet group. That is a leap of faith not nessasarily supported by any published evidence I can see. The Persian Carpet workshops ceased production in about 1722 after the Afghan invasion. Persian Carpet production was very minor until the 20th century. Historically Kashan was a major center in the garment trade. In the late 19th century the market shifted and the local industry went from fine wool cloth to fine wool carpets
From the mid-19th to the early 20th century the finest quality rugs from Kashan were called Mohtashem and said to be from the workshop of “Mohtashem”. Today it is generally assumed that Mohtashem is an indication of fine Kerman workshop production rather than a firm attribution. However with the existence of some signed Mohtashem rugs it is certain that the workshop existed. The early Kashans were made with Manchester wool and are softer, The change occurred in the 1930s.

Some of the best Kashans are from Ardistan and excellent ones are also produced in Yezd and Kashmar in Khorasan.

Wool
Kashan is surrounded by desert and marginal land that does not provide a source of good wool. From roughly 1890 to 1930 the main source of wool was Manchester UK. That wool was fine soft garment wool that was processed in Manchester from Merino sheep. After 1930 the primary source of wool has been

Silk 
Silk is grown in the area and is used in rugs from Kashan. John Chardin traveling in Persia from 1673 to 1677 noted Kashan as the second city behind Yezd in a discussion of metal and silk rugs.

Rug Structure:

Kashan Rug, Kashan proper, the surrounding area and Eastern Iran.

Size: All sizes made up to about 10 by 13 feet are common.

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the left. 100 to 250 kpsi with up to 400 knots per square inch in smaller sizes and silks.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: Cotton

Weft: 2 shots cotton. First shot is thicker and straight and the second is thinner and sinuous. Deeply depressed knots with a warp offset of 85 to 90 degrees.

Pile: 2 wool singles.

Ends: Overhand knots with warp fringe.

Selvages: 1 cord plain wool.

Handle: Light – medium.

Examples:

A Kashan lustre-decorated star-form pottery tile 13th c.
A Kashan lustre-decorated star-form pottery tile 13th c. lot 52
MEASUREMENTS
20.5cm., 8in.
DESCRIPTION
Central Persia, 13th century


A Kashan carpet C. 1930
Kashan Rugs: A Kashan carpet C. 1930
MEASUREMENTS
372 by 270cm., 12ft. 3in. by 8ft. 10in.


A Kashan Carpet C. 1930
Kashan Rugs: A Kashan Carpet C. 1930
MEASUREMENTS
373 by 280cm., 12ft. 3in. by 9ft. 2in.


A Kashan Carpet C. 1930
Kashan Rugs: A Kashan Carpet C. 1930
MEASUREMENTS
411 by 309cm., 13ft. 6in. by 10.ft 2in.


Harun Kashan Carpet C. 1930-50
Kashan Rugs: Harun Kashan Carpet C. 1930-50
12ft.7in. x 9ft.6in. 3.84m. x 2.90m. Small area of wear lower end of field


Harun Kashan Rug C. 1930-40
Harun Kashan Rug

6ft.7in. x 4ft.8in. 2.01m. x 1.42m. Outer red ‘frame’ partly re-woven.


Kaschan Vase Rug 1st Q 20th C.
Kashan Rugs: Kaschan Vase Rug 1st Q 20th C.

214 x 125cm. Feiner, alter Kaschan, Vasenmuster. 


Kashan Carpet 20th C.
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Carpet 20th C.
MEASUREMENTS
590 by 427cm., 19ft. 4in. by 14ft.
DESCRIPTION
signature cartouche at one end


Kashan Carpet C. 1920
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Carpet C. 1920

A Kashan Carpet, Central Persia, circa 1920

MEASUREMENTS
458 by 316cm., 15ft. by 10ft. 4in.


Kashan Carpet C. 1920 
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Carpet C. 1920

A Kashan Carpet, Central Persia, circa 1920

MEASUREMENTS
352 by 252cm., 11ft. 6in. by 8ft. 3in.


Kashan Carpet C. 1920
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Carpet C. 1920

Kashan Carpet west Persia about 1920

10ft.8in. x 6ft.11in. 3.25m. x 2.11m


Kashan Carpet early 20th c.
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Carpet early 20th c.

A Kashan carpet, Central Persia, early 20th century

MEASUREMENTS

359 by 260cm. 11ft. 9in. by 8ft. 6in.


Kashan Carpet early 20th C.
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Carpet early 20th C.

A Kashan Carpet, Central Persia, early 20th century

MEASUREMENTS
428 by 305cm., 14ft. 1in. by 10ft.


Kashan Rug c. 1920
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Rug c. 1920

A Kashan Rug, Central Persia, circa 1920

MEASUREMENTS
203 by 133cm., 6ft. 8in. by 4ft. 4in.


Kashan Rug Late 20th C.
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Rug Late 20th C.
close up
3 by 5 Foot Ardistan Kashan Rug
Kashan Type Ardistan, Iran, Late 20th century. 3 foot 3 inch by 5 foot 1 inch.Structure: Symmetrical knot. 11 knots per horizontal inch and 10 knots per vertical inch. 110 per square inch (1960 per square decimeter)
Yarn Spin: Z.
Warp: Cotton, white.
Weft: Cotton 2 shot. blue.
Pile: 2 Wool singles.
Ends: warp fringe.
Selvages: 2 cotton overcast with white wool.
Further Notes: Thick meaty handle, very substantial rug in As new condition. No holes, tears, rips or low spots. Long pile.Attractive thick Persian rug with great color.
This rug is a thick plush beautiful rug in pristine condition. No flaws or problems that I can see.


Kashan Runner early 20th c.
Kashan Rugs: Kashan Runner early 20th c.

A Kashan runner, Central Persia, early 20th century

MEASUREMENTS
476 by 105cm., 15ft. 7in. by 3ft. 5in.


Old Kaschan Rug Van-Ham
Kashan Rugs: Old Kaschan Rug Van-Ham

MEASUREMENTS

199 x 126cm


Older/Antique Kashan Rug 1st half 20th century
Kashan Rugs: Older/Antique Kashan Rug 1st half 20th
close up
Older/Antique Kashan Rug

Kashan Rugs are among the very best of the Persian carpets. This Rug is a medium fine Kashan Rug and has some age to it. My supplier said antique but I think he was a touch optimistic.
While this is not the highest knot count it is more than adequate to pull off the design. What makes Kashan rugs so popular is the design. The field is red and the medallion and corners are blue. That achieves a nice balance and then the main border is blue but the guard borders are a light color. If the guards were dark then this rug would not nearly work as well.
Older/Antique Kashan Rug, Persia, late 19th or 20th century. 6 foot 6 inch by 4 foot 6 inch.Structure: Symmetrical knot. 11.5 knots per horizontal inch and 13 knots per vertical inch. 150 per square inch (2317 per square decimeter)
Yarn Spin: Z.
Warp: Cotton, white.
Weft: Cotton 2 shots. blue.
Pile: 2 Wool singles.
Ends: warp fringe.
Selvages: 2 cotton overcast with red wool.
Further Notes: Meaty handle, old repairs and reweaves. This piece is less than pristine but very suitable for floor use.


Room Size Ardekan Kashan Carpet
Kashan Rugs: Room Size Ardekan Kashan Carpet
close up
Room Size Kashan Carpet
8 foot 11 inch by 12 foot 2 inches.
This Kashan Carpet is more than just floor covering. It is a work of art. Floral Persian city carpets like this one are some of my very favorite carpets. The white guard borders with the blue main border and red field creates a balance and symmetry that makes this one of the most attractive Persian Carpets.
Kashan Carpet , Iran, second half 20th century. 8 foot 11 inch by 12 foot 2 inches. (Not including fringe)Structure: Asymmetrical knot. 10 knots per horizontal inch and 10 knots per vertical inch. 100 per square inch (1550 per square decimeter)
Yarn Spin: Z.
Warp: Cotton, white.
Weft: Cotton 2 shot.
Pile: 2 Wool singles.
Ends: warp fringe.
Selvages: Overcast with red wool.
Attractive thick Persian rug with great color. This is a wonderful Persian city carpet and will be a beautiful addition in a better home.


Tree of Life Kashan Rug Early 20th C.
Kashan Rugs: Tree of Life Kashan Rug Early 20th C.
close up
Tree of Life Kashan Rug
Size: 4 foot 1 inch by 6 foot 10 inch.
This is a beautiful older Persian City Carpet from the Kashan area. Rugs like this are generally referred to as Meditation Carpets.
Color is difficult over the internet, please review the Direct Scan below for the best representation of color in this rug.
Kashan Rug, Persia, Early 20th century. Size: 4 foot 1 inch by 6 foot 10 inch.
Structure:  Structure: Asymmetrical knot.16 knots per horizontal inch and 14 knots per vertical inch. 224 per square inch (3472 per square decimeter)
Yarn Spin: Z.
Warp: 2 ply ivory cotton.
Weft: 1 shot blue cotton.
Pile: 2 wool singles.
Ends: .5 plain weave and twined finish with 1 inch warp fringe.
Selvages: 1 cord plain blue cotton.
Handle:  Light-medium, durable.
Further Notes: Very good condition.
Excellent drawing and color. Attractive thin Persian rug with great color. This is a wonderful Persian city carpet and will be a beautiful addition in a better home.