Antique Keshan | 196 x 131 cm | Nr. Z-4248

Antique Keshan, light red with border and medallion

Origin	Persia
Dimensions	196 cm x 131 cm (= 2.5676 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: kork wool with pure silk Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	350.000
Pile height	5mm
Year of manufacture	1930
Colour	Light red, Light blue
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 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 exceptionally soft wool, which makes it particularly dense and compact. This antique Keshan is a collector's piece. It is around 90 years old, and for that reason alone it is a truly special piece. Antique rugs like this Keshan are as sought after as ever and fetch top prices at renowned auction houses.

Pattern

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

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 overall impression is dominated by light red and light blue. The border is worked in light red and light blue.

Condition

This Keshan has had admirers before you. It was hand-knotted around 1930. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good, though only partly restored, condition. The edges are damaged in places. We have not restored this Keshan completely, because we feel it has a special charm just as it is. If that is what you would like, we will of course be happy to restore the rug further for you. We can bring almost any rug back to near-perfect condition.

Material

The pile of this Keshan was hand-knotted from kork wool and silk. Kork wool, also written kurk wool, is a particularly fine-threaded knotting yarn with an almost velvety feel. Kork wool is taken from the neck, the belly and the inner sides of the sheep's legs and is of especially high quality. The pattern of this Keshan is picked out in lustrous pure silk, which is obtained by hand from the cocoons of the silkworm. The silk elements create a shimmering contrast and make the colours shine in different facets, depending on how the light falls. The weft and warp threads of this Keshan are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic and therefore particularly well suited to a hard-wearing foundation.