Kashan is located in central Iran. It is one of the oldest towns in Persia and is named after its original inhabitants the ‘Kasian’ people, whose remains can be found in the Tepe Sialk which dates back to 6,000BC. Recently, Kashan rugs have been given as wedding presents from the bride's parents to the newly wed couple, this is to represent eternal life and their eternal love.

How to Identify a Kashan Rug

Kashan rugs typically follow the Isfahan design, using floral motifs and the Shah Abassi floral design. The colours used in Kashan carpets tend to be deep reds, creams and blues. Older Kashan carpets sometimes depict the Tree of Life design; this can be seen in some Kashan Motashem carpets (see Master Weavers of Kashan).

Materials Used to Weave Kashan Rugs

Typically Kashan rugs are woven with a cotton base and a woolen pile, however there are occasions were a cotton base is used with a woolen pile and silk highlights. However silk is usually only used by the master weavers of Kashan. 100% silk Kashan rugs also exist but these are much harder to find.

Master Weavers of Kashan

The most renowned weavers in Kashan are the Motashem family; dating back to the late 19th early 20th century, their carpets are some of the finest quality produced in Kashan. These carpets are woven using the finest quality wools with silk highlights. Buyers should be aware that many sellers try to pass off old Kashan carpets as Motashem pieces when they are not.

Other noted weavers of Kashan carpets include; Mohammed Farshchi, Alaghemand & MM Esfahanian.