Iran’s Finest Rugs

Kashan Rugs Are Some of the Most Sought After

Kashan rugs are some of the finest on the market. Hailing from one of Iran’s oldest cities, these rugs feature high-quality wool and one-of-a-kind silk designs, making them highly sought after and a fantastic choice for anyone interested in making their first or tenth Persian rug purchase.

Kashan rugs share their namesake with the city they’re crafted in, Kashan, Iran. Living in one of Iran’s oldest cities, Kashan weavers began creating their cherished rugs 400 years ago in the 17th century. By the 19th century, the rugs reached their way to international markets, sharing with the world some of the finest and most majestic rugs in all of Persia.

How Kashan Rugs Are Made

Original Kashan rugs use a cotton base and 100 percent wool pile. Many weavers also weave fine silk in the wool, making their finished rugs some of the softest and most treasured in the world. Traditionally, vegetable dyes were used to bring the rugs to life with rich, natural coloring.

An easy way to identify a Kashan is to check the knots. Kashan rugs are woven using asymmetrical Senneh knot, while other Persian rugs typically have symmetrical knots. The number of knots varies from rug to rug, but each one has at least 140 knots per square inch. The more knots a rug has, the greater its quality.

A common element of Kashan rug design is the medallion centerpiece. From the medallion, the rest of the design work extends densely across the rug’s body in elaborate patterns of flowers and foliage, giving it an ample amount of originality and character.

Vintage Kashan Rugs vs. Modern Kashan Rugs

Earlier Kashan rugs primarily featured deep, rich blues and reds with ivory contrasts. The field was generally red and the borders were blue. Weavers then began introducing pastel colors into their rugs sometime in the 1970s, but modern Kashans have reverted back to their deep red and blue roots.

Kashan rugs are skillfully crafted in a range of sizes, but many are quite large and designed for an entire room. Some common Kashan sizes are 10 x 13, 8 x 10, 7 x 10, and 4 x 6.