kashan
Origins: Kashan Persian rugs originate from the city of Kashan, located in the Isfahan province of central Iran. Kashan has a long history of rug weaving, dating back several centuries, and is renowned for producing some of the finest Persian carpets.
Design: Kashan Persian rugs are characterized by intricate floral motifs, medallions, arabesques, and curvilinear patterns. These designs are often rendered in rich colors such as deep blues, crimson reds, ivory, gold, and green. Kashan rugs are known for their elegance, symmetry, and balance of design elements.
Construction: Kashan rugs are handcrafted using high-quality materials such as fine wool, silk, and cotton. Silk highlights may be used to accentuate intricate details, adding a luxurious sheen to the rug's surface. The rugs are hand-knotted using the Persian knot technique, resulting in a dense and durable pile.
Size and Shape: Kashan Persian rugs come in various sizes, ranging from small accent rugs to large room-sized carpets. They are available in rectangular, square, and oval shapes, catering to different design preferences and spatial requirements.
Quality and Collectability: Kashan Persian rugs are highly esteemed for their exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and artistic merit. They are considered among the finest Persian rugs and are prized by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. Authentic Kashan rugs are valuable investments due to their craftsmanship and historical significance.
Cultural Significance: Kashan Persian rugs are an integral part of Iran's cultural heritage, reflecting the region's history, traditions, and aesthetics. They are treasured as symbols of Persian artistry and craftsmanship, representing centuries of weaving tradition passed down through generations.
Evolution: Over time, Kashan Persian rugs have evolved to incorporate a blend of traditional designs and modern influences. While classic motifs remain popular, contemporary Kashan rugs may feature innovative color palettes, abstract designs, or reinterpretations of traditional patterns to appeal to modern tastes.
Overall, Kashan Persian rugs hold a special place in the world of Oriental carpets, celebrated for their timeless beauty, meticulous craftsmanship, and cultural significance. They continue to captivate admirers with their exquisite designs and enduring allure.
Antique Mohtasham Kashan carpet that is best of type
A Full silk Safavid Kashan carpet owned by the metropolitan museum of New York
History
Kashan, a city in the Isfahan province of Iran, has a rich history that flourished particularly during the Safavid period (1501-1722). This era is notable for its significant contributions to Persian culture, architecture, and economy, with Kashan playing a crucial role. The Safavid era is considered a golden age for Persian art and architecture, with Kashan being a center for the production of high-quality ceramics, textiles (especially silk), and carpets that were renowned both domestically and internationally. The city was home to many skilled artisans and craftsmen, whose work contributed to Kashan's reputation as a cultural hub.
A Full silk Safavid Kashan carpet owned by the Metropolitan Museum of New York
These designs, including the medallions at the center and four corners of this carpet, are also present in other media, particularly in bookbinding and manuscript illumination. The cloud bands and peonies that appear throughout the work originated in Chinese art but had been fully assimilated into Safavid artistic production by this period.
Hajji Mullah Mohammad Hassan Mohtasham
Mohtasham Kashan carpets are bound to take your breath away. Mohtasham had the most famous workshop of his time ,in addition he was also a merchant in the wool trade in the 1890’s he married a woman from Arak. When the clothing market collapsed, it is said that his wife used the merino wool to make carpets with characteristics of the Sarouk style and a knot count often between 200 and 400 knots per square inch.
This is the spark that light the Mohtasham workshop on fire, starting the legacy as we know it. To our left is a beautifully displayed Mohtasham Kashan silk rug, that uses the exact same dyes as a signed Mohtasham silk pieces, which leads us to believe that indeed this gorgeous beauty was supervised by the grand master himself
When the wool market collapsed at the onset of the Great Depression, weavers switched to local wools. The quality of Merino wool machine spun in Manchester, England allowed a higher knot count and well-executed, crisp motifs in a lustrous carpet with a high pile.
A finely-woven Kashan carpet of that time was called a “Mohtasham school” carpet if it displayed the attributes of a Mohtasham carpet ie: higher knot count velvety handle, superb execution, and last but not least soft merino wool. A few Mohtasham-signed pieces exist, these are used as a legend to help historians and revered enthusiasts identify true Mohtahsam workshop pieces. from ones that are attributed to the legend of Mohtasham.
During the mid to late 19th Century and early 20th century, a famous workshop in Kashan produced carpets that took everyone by surprise, due to their extraordinary execution. This workshop was established by the legend Hajji Mullah Mohammad Hassan Mohtasham. A descendant of a revered Persian poet in the Safavid period he helped cement the name of the city Kashan as a rug-weaving hub
Second Revival
A breath taking Mohtasham kashan that is very well executed
ateshglou or Ali AKBAR
During the Qajar period, Mirza Ali Akbar Khan Natanzi, also known as Mazin al-Dawlah or Ateshglou, was a legendary figure who made a profound impact in both painting and carpet weaving. Initially renowned as a painter and educator, he was a graduate of the Paris School of Fine Arts and played a significant role in introducing European academic painting styles to Iran. As a teacher at Dar al-Fonun, his influence extended through students such as Kamal al-Mulk, helping to shape a new generation of artists and establishing the Western style of painting in Qajar Iran.
In addition to his achievements in painting, Mazin al-Dawlah also rose to fame as Ateshglou, a master weaver who began his career in the renowned Mohtasham workshop. Quickly gaining recognition for his design skills, he eventually opened his own workshop, where he pushed the boundaries of traditional Kashan carpet designs. While the Mohtasham workshop favored lighter tones such as pastels and oranges, Ateshglou embraced darker colors, which became more popular in the early 1900s.
To our right is a remarkable carpet featuring intricate zoomorphic designs, with borders adorned by Persian animals. In the field of the rug, the iconic Vaq Vaq tree takes center stage, a mythical symbol of good and evil, with its branches growing into the shapes of various creatures. The rich symbolic imagery continues with a devil leading a camel made of animal bodies, highlighting the power of mythical beings. Additionally, the Tree of Life and the serene depiction of nature near the base of the carpet add to its narrative depth. These carefully woven elements elevate this rug to the status of a true masterpiece, admired by collectors around the world
Thus, Mazin al-Dawlah, or Ateshglou, left a unique and enduring mark on both Persian art and craftsmanship, seamlessly blending his skills in painting with his innovations in carpet weaving, making him a truly multifaceted artist of the Qajar era. While the Mohtasham workshop ceased production around 1918, Ateshglou continued to create carpets well into the 20th century, ensuring his legacy is carved in stone as both a pioneering painter and a master carpet weaver.
dABIR sanei
Mohammad Farshchi, known as Mohammad Dabir Sanai, was a celebrated figure in Kashan’s carpet weaving tradition during the early 20th century. Born into a family of merchants, his father, Taghi Kashani, played a crucial role in shaping his interest in Persian carpets. Taghi, who had ordered rugs from Mulla Mohammad Hasan Mohtasham and commissioned designs from Tehran painter Reza Hosseini, passed down his knowledge and passion for carpets to his son. Mohammad, raised in such an artistic environment, became fascinated with carpet design from a young age and ultimately followed in his father’s footsteps to become a carpet designer. His early works were appreciated for their elegance and creativity, and he quickly gained the nickname Dabir Sanai, meaning "teacher of crafts."
Dabir was among the most famous weavers from Kashan during his time, particularly known for using the finest quality wool and dyes and producing carpets with impeccable weave density. His expertise in selecting materials and attention to detail allowed him to create works of exceptional beauty and durability. Having been exposed to the world of rug weaving through his father’s interactions with Ateshglou, a prominent rug producer, Dabir mastered the art of weaving early on and is remembered for advancing the craft in Kashan. He took the baton of rug weaving from earlier generations, creating designs that at times surpassed those of his predecessors. Dabir’s ability to build upon the foundations laid by past artisans is a testament to the adage that one can “reach for the moon by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
In addition to his technical expertise, Mohammad Dabir Sanai was known for adopting new patterns into Kashan's carpet tradition. He was the first to incorporate the Haji Hanumi, Mina Hani, and Jir Haki patterns in his designs, bringing innovation to an ancient art form. Over time, he expanded from designing to weaving carpets himself, becoming the most renowned Kashan carpet artist of the Pahlavi dynasty. Although much about his personal life remains unknown, it is believed he passed away around 1979, during the Islamic Revolution, and his workshop was closed soon after. Despite the mystery surrounding his later years, Dabir’s legacy lives on through his remarkable contributions to the world of Persian carpet weaving, which continue to inspire artisans and collectors alike.
A stunning atesghlou kashan executed almost 100 years ago
Atayi
The Atayi family, hailing from Kashan, is celebrated for producing some of the most exquisite Persian carpets, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their rugs are admired for their hand-knotted craftsmanship, the use of high-quality wool, and their intricate, elegant designs. Atayi carpets frequently showcase a central medallion surrounded by detailed floral or geometric patterns, which reflects Kashan's deep-rooted tradition in carpet weaving.
The Atayi weavers were especially known for their use of bold color palettes, typically featuring shades of red, blue, and ivory, giving their rugs a striking yet versatile appeal that complemented various interior styles. Their work is renowned for its durability and meticulous construction, characteristics that are a testament to the family's commitment to mastering traditional techniques. The legacy of the Atayi family continues to be highly valued in the antique rug market, with their pieces still sought after for their timeless beauty and exceptional quality.
A master piece from the dabir sanei workshop
Tafazoli
Tafazoli (or Tafazzoli) was a renowned master weaver based in Kashan, whose carpets gained recognition for their exquisite craftsmanship and intricate designs during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His workshop specialized in producing high-quality silk carpets, known for their refined artistry, often featuring detailed floral motifs and elaborate medallions. The skill and precision that went into weaving these carpets set Tafazoli’s work apart, especially in the context of Kashan’s rich carpet-making tradition.
Tafazoli’s carpets are celebrated for their balance between luxurious materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Many of his pieces used silk as the primary material, giving the rugs a luminous sheen and smooth texture. His workshop was also known for producing souf rugs, which featured raised silk designs on a flat-weave base, demonstrating the innovation and technical expertise of Tafazoli’s weavers.
Due to the rarity and exceptional quality of Tafazoli carpets, they are highly sought after by collectors today, often appearing at auctions and fetching significant prices. These rugs remain a testament to the legacy of Persian weaving and continue to be prized for their combination of artistry, durability, and cultural significance.
