Image Carpets

Antique Mohtashan Kashan Rug – 280409

Mohtashan Kashan Carpet

The juxtaposition of a striking green quatrefoil medallion on an ivory ground strikes one immediately on viewing this antique Persian Kashan carpet. The term ‘Mohtashan’ or ‘Mohtasham’ refers to the originator of the style and type, beginning around 1880. The pile is Australian Merino wool, spun in Manchester, UK, and gives a particularly velvety surface texture. The design was executed without the use of a scale paper cartoon pattern and has the desirable angular character of the earliest examples. By ther late 19th century, paper designs were universally employed in Kashan and the rugs are more curvilinear. The abstract green cypress trees of the border are colourful versions of a popular Persian design trope. As is plainly apparent, the geometric arabesques of the ecru field are not quite symmetric side to side or top to bottom. This adds to the quirky informality of what otherwise would be a formal carpet. The ivory ground is the most desirable field colour for antique Kashan carpets of this period since it sets off the pattern most strongly.