Kashan

The other is the all-over design called "Afshan," in which scrolling vines spread across the whole rug; it is characterized by arabesque patterns that give the entire field a unified look.

Kashan's weavers hold tradition in high regard, and you rarely see them make bold shifts to new designs the way some other regions do. Rather than following trends, they carry on weaving the time-honored color schemes and compositions they treasure.

The defining feature of Kashan Persian rugs is this faithful preservation of traditional style. That is why, in Japan too, many people picture Kashan when they hear "classic-pattern Persian rug," and its reliable quality and design, backed by tradition, keep it steadily popular.

Kashan's Geography and History

Kashan is an oasis city in central Iran, roughly midway between Tehran and Isfahan. Though surrounded by desert, it grew as a trading post on the Silk Road, and the advanced skills developed in tile-making and silk weaving have also been put to use in rug making. Its history is long: during the Safavid era in the 16th–17th centuries, many masterpiece rugs were woven here, and records say the phrase "a craftsman from Kashan" was used as the highest of compliments.

As for the world-famous Ardebil Rug held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, one theory places its origin in Kashan, but others point to Tabriz, Isfahan, Kerman and elsewhere, and its origin has not been settled.

The photos were taken during a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

By the early 18th century, Kashan was at its height, home even to workshops serving the royal court, but later political changes caused its rug industry to decline for a time. From the late 19th to the early 20th century, however, weaving revived, and Kashan became known for workshops run by famous master weavers such as Haji Motasham (Mohtasham), which produced rugs of the very finest quality.

Because of this history and cultural background, Kashan's rug-weaving craft has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, and its value is recognized around the world.

Design Characteristics

Design is another reason Kashan rugs are so highly regarded. A typical Kashan rug takes either the symmetrical composition described above, with a central medallion and corner motifs (medallion and corners), or an all-over composition of scrolling vines and flowers (Afshan). In either case, the field is woven with fine floral and plant patterns, so dense that they are described as "a profusion of flowers blooming in every available space."

Floral motifs in particular are essential to any discussion of Kashan rugs. Roses and other flowers, boteh (paisley) motifs, scrolling arabesques, lotus-shaped medallions and many other plant forms are worked into the designs.

Traditionally, the colors are mostly calm tones such as deep red, dark navy, ivory (natural undyed) and beige.

Kashan's representative color schemes are said to fall broadly into three groups:

(1) red × cream/ivory × dark blue

(2) a soft combination of beige/cream × light blue × gray

(3) black/navy × brown × yellow tones

These are the three main families.

In every scheme, a variety of accent colors and contrasts of light and dark are skillfully woven together, so that each rug is finished as a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Overall, Kashan Persian rug design is described as "the ornate designs and harmonious colors of the quintessential Persian rug." Refined without being showy, yet with a presence that draws the eye: truly an elegant rug.

Its timeless design is unaffected by trends and suits all kinds of interiors, Japanese-style or Western-style rooms alike. A universal beauty that feels traditional without ever feeling dated is the very essence of Kashan rug design.