Old Keshan | 206 x 135 cm | Nr. 17359

Floral old Keshan, beige with border

Origin	Persia
Dimensions	206 cm x 135 cm (= 2.78 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	300.000
Pile height	6mm
Year of manufacture	1960
Colour	Beige, Terracotta
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

 

Origin

The central Persian city of Keshan (also written Kashan or Keschan) lies between the slopes of the Zagros mountains and the Persian desert regions. Thanks to its climate and the caravans that crossed the country, it was – at least until the Safavids moved their seat of government to Isfahan – a flourishing metropolis, known above all for its fabric and rug production. To this day it is marked by the elegance and splendour of that era. Keshan rugs are artful textiles made in an age-old tradition. Production in Keshan traditionally took place in the weavers' own homes. The pile is typically knotted from exceptionally soft wool, which makes it particularly dense and compact. This old Keshan is around 60 years old and a real collector's piece.

 

Pattern

The lush floral motifs of this Keshan are elegant and full of variety. The graceful plant forms, showing blossoms, leaves and branches, are artfully intertwined.

The decorated surround (border) forms a beautiful contrast to the centre and shapes the transition at the edge of the rug.

The repeating elements of this Keshan rug have no specific centre. The recurring repeat pattern feels calming without ever becoming dull. Rugs with a repeat pattern are also described as all-over patterned.

The background of this Keshan is grey-beige. Terracotta also dominates the overall impression. The border is worked in grey-beige and rust red.

 

Condition

This Keshan has a history. It was hand-knotted around 1960. We have cleaned it thoroughly and lovingly restored it. It is therefore – despite its age – in very good condition.

 

Material

The pile of this Keshan was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by gently shearing sheep. It is a renewable, natural raw material with a range of impressive qualities: thanks to the wool's natural lanolin content, the surface repels droplets of water and is naturally proofed against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The weft and warp threads of this Keshan are cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it ideal for a hard-wearing foundation weave.