Old Keshan | 410 x 320 cm | Nr. Z-862

Geometric old Keshan, light red with border

Origin	Persia
Dimensions	410 cm x 320 cm (= 13.12 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	360.000
Pile height	7mm
Year of manufacture	1950
Colour	Light red, dark blue
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

The central Persian city of Keshan (also written Kashan or Keschan) lies between the mountain slopes of the Zagros range 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 the city is shaped by the elegance and splendour of that era. Keshan rugs are artful textiles made in an age-old tradition. In Keshan, production traditionally took place in the weavers' own homes. The pile is typically knotted from extremely soft wool, which makes it particularly dense and compact. This old Keshan is around 70 years old and a true collector'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 abstract, geometric composition is what gives this Keshan its understated elegance. The pattern flatters the design of the room and never draws attention away from the furniture, the decor and the architectural features. It creates a pleasant atmosphere without dominating the style of the room.

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 light red. The border is designed in light red and dark blue.

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 1950. It has been cleaned thoroughly and is in good, though only partially restored, condition. The edges are damaged in places. The fringes could do with a repair. We have not fully restored this Keshan because we feel it has a special charm just as it is. If you would like us to, we are of course happy to carry on restoring the rug for you. We can bring almost any rug back to nearly perfect 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.