Old Keshan | 210 x 141 cm | Nr. Z-856

Floral old Keshan, dark red with border and medallion

Origin	Persia
Dimensions	210 cm x 141 cm (= 2.96 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	300.000
Pile height	6mm
Year of manufacture	1970
Colour	Dark red, dark blue
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

The central Persian city of Keshan (also Kashan or Keschan) lies geographically between the slopes of the Zagros Mountains and the Persian deserts. 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 production of fabrics and rugs. To this day it is shaped 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 homes of the weavers themselves. The pile is typically knotted from exceptionally soft wool, which makes it particularly dense and compact. This old Keshan is around 50 years old and a true connoisseur's piece.

Pattern

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

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.

At the heart of this Keshan's central field sits the symmetrical centrepiece, also known as the medallion. The design of the field is subordinate to the medallion, so that the medallion seems to float on the field.

The background of this Keshan is dark red. The border is kept in dark blue. In the dark red centre, dark blue and blue-grey are combined.

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Keshan. It has had owners before you who valued and used it. It was hand-knotted around 1970. We have cleaned it thoroughly and lovingly restored it. Despite its age, it is therefore 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.