Kashan rugs, Kashan carpets
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Kashan rugs, Kashan carpets |
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Kashan is a city of some 300,000 people in the province of Isfahan in central Iran. It is relatively low-lying and becomes very hot in summer; this has traditionally been alleviated by building houses downwards into the ground. Perhaps this also discourages the scorpions for which the city is notorious!
The inhabitants of Kashan are famous for their industry: the Ardebil carpet in the Victoria and Albert museum, dating from 1542, is signed Maqsud of Kashan, and the town also produces fine silks and velvets.
Kashan produces carpets in both wool and silk. The former have cotton warps and blue cotton wefts. Several qualities are produced; but most Kashan carpets are quite finely knotted. Allover and medallion designs are made. The shape of the Kashan medallion is distinctive; it is formed of alternating curved lines and right angles. The commonest scheme is a red field with a blue medallion, with subsiduary details in other colours. The borders of Kashan carpets are also distinctive. The main border is generally flanked by guard stripes with geometrical designs, normally tiny blue and red triangles. Kashan carpets are made in all sizes.