Old Kashan
213 cm x 137 cm
Nr. 9894

Floral Old Kashan, dark blue with border, Medaillon and field pattern

Place of origin

The central Persian city of Keshan (also Kashan) lies between the slopes of the Zagros Mountains and the Persian desert areas. Due to its climate and the caravans that passed through the country, it was, at least until the Safavids moved their seat of government to Isfahan, a flourishing metropolis known especially for its fabric and rug production. Even today it is still influenced by the elegance and splendor of that era. The Kashan rugs are artistic textile products made according to ancient traditions. The production in Kashan took place traditionally in the houses of the weavers. The pile is typically knotted from extremely soft wool and is, therefore, particularly dense and compact. This old Kashan is more than 40 years old and a true collector's item.

Patterns

The so-called field pattern of this Kashan is reminiscent of a lushly overgrown garden with geometrically structured, individually bordered flowerbeds. This design is distinctive, which is why field design rugs are also called garden rugs in German. The individual panels of the design of this Kashan show different motifs, but follow a strictly symmetrical, rectangular arrangement.

There is a reason for this: large parts of Persia and many other regions of the Middle and Near East are desert or steppe-like arid areas, in which so-called irrigation horticulture is often practiced. Water is brought to the beds through small irrigation channels. Field patterns reflect this irrigation system in a very simplified way. Due to drought in these regions, flowering and green gardens are also a characteristic of it. The field pattern is therefore probably due to the desire to bring a little garden and thus a little paradise into the house. In Koran the term garden, a word of ancient Persian origins, appears very often as an earthly counterpart to paradise.

The background of this Kashan is dark blue. The border features dark blue, olive green and dark red. The dark green center combines the colors light blue and old rose.

Condition

You are not the first to appreciate this Kashan. It has had owners before you who have cherished and used it. It was hand knotted about 1920. It has been thoroughly cleaned and only partially restored condition but is in good condition. We have not completely restored this Kashan because we think it is as it is a special charm. If you would like, we will of course restore the rug further for you. We can restore almost any rug to an almost perfect condition.

Material

The pile of this Kashan has been woven from so-called cork wool. Cork wool is a very fine thread, almost velvety to the touch. Cork wool is obtained from the neck, belly and inner sides of the sheep's legs and is of particularly high quality. The weft and warp threads of this Kashan are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and stretchable and, therefore, ideal for a durable backing fabric.