Antique Keshan | 319 x 219 cm | Nr. Z-343

Floral antique Keshan, blue-grey with an all-over pattern, central medallion and border

Origin

The central Persian city of Keshan (also 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 ancient tradition. In Keshan, production traditionally took place in the homes of the knotters. The pile is typically knotted from exceptionally soft wool, which makes it especially dense and compact. This antique Keshan is a collector's piece. It is around 35 years old, and that alone makes it 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 ornate border forms a wonderful contrast with the centre and shapes the transition at the edge of the rug.

The repeating pattern (known as a rapport or all-over pattern) flatters the design of a room and does not draw attention away from the furniture, the décor and the architectural elements. It creates a pleasant atmosphere without dominating the style of the room. In this Keshan the repeating elements find their centre in the middle of the field, in the symmetrical medallion.

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 background of this Keshan is cream white. The overall impression is also dominated by blue-grey and cream white. The border is worked in rust red, blue-grey and cream white. At the centre, blue-grey and lilac are combined.

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Keshan. It has had owners before you who treasured and used it. It was hand-knotted around 1985. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good, though only partly restored, condition. In places the fringes could do with a repair. In places the pile has grown a little thinner over the years. The edges could do with a repair as well. We have not fully restored this Keshan because we feel it has a special charm just as it is. If that is what you would like, we are of course happy to restore it further for you. We can bring almost any rug back to near-perfect condition.

Material

The pile of this Keshan was knotted from what is known as kurk wool. Kurk wool, also spelled kork, is an especially fine-threaded yarn that feels almost velvety. It is taken from the neck, the belly and the inner legs of the sheep and is of particularly high quality. The weft and warp threads of this Keshan are cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it ideally suited to a hard-wearing foundation.