Kashan Rugs: A Tribute to the Safavid Dynasty of the Persian Empire
Kashan rugs are an export from one of Iran’s oldest cities, Kashan, dating back to the 17th century or late 16th century. Kashan was a hub of silk production beginning with the Safavid dynasty, a golden age of Persian weaving under the reign of Shah Abbas.
Contemporary Kashan rug sales began toward the end of the 19th century, when Kashan merchants hoped to replicate the success of weaving shops in Tabriz to the north. During this era, many antique Kashan rugs were commissioned for individual homes. The best Kashan carpets of the 19th-century and turn of the 20th century are formal, traditional and luxurious.
The warp and weft of Kashan rugs are usually made of cotton with the traditional asymmetrical Persian know. The thin double weft is often woven between 120 knots per square inch and 840 knots per square inch. The finished texture of Kashan rugs is soft to the touch. The best Kashan carpets use a superior quality of wool that sometimes has silk mixed in.
An antique Kashan rug was colored with vegetable dyes, which contribute to their unique texture, but
modern Kashan rugs (from the 1930s) use contemporary chrome dyes.
The highly sought after curvilinear designs of Kashan weaving was popularized by Kashan weavers in the early 1900s. The Kashan rug typically centers around a teardrop medallion, though intricately detailed motifs like palmettos, blossoms, leaves and arabesques are common, as well. The “Royal Garden” of Kashan is the source of a notable garden motif that is the archetype of Persian carpet designs. Another inspiration for many Kashan carpets is the “Garden of Paradise.”
Pakistani Kashan Rugs
When the Mogul empire spread through Iran to the Indian subcontinent, the work of Persian weavers was carried to modern day Pakistan. The city of Lahore today produces the vast majority of modern Pakistani Kashan rugs.
Like their Iranian forebears, Pakistani Kashans use a wool pile on a cotton base. Mogul Kashan rugs use the Senneh knot, an asymmetrical double knot that produces a dense, heavy weave, making them extremely durable. One of the main distinctions between Iranian and Pakistani Kashan rugs is the use of color. Pakistani Kashans feature predominantly pastel shades, whereas a traditional Persian Kashan carpet may include richer reds, greens and blues.
Motasham Kashan Carpets: Exceptional…and Exceptionally Rare
Motasham Kashan carpets are the rarest group of Kashan carpets. They feature non-traditional designs and color palettes and were woven with lamb’s wool renowned for its luminous, reflective sheen. True Motasham Kashan rugs are finely knotted and extremely difficult to find.
Dating from the middle of the 19th century, antique Motasham Kashan carpets are among the finest Persian carpets. Early Motasham Kashan rugs (pre-1850) use a technique known as abrash, marked by an emotive use of color shading and color shifts. They commonly feature an antique ivory or gold background and subtle pastel tones throughout the weave. Over time, the dyes in an antique Motasham rug will soften and acquire an earthy patina. The rich lanolin will rise to the surface of the wool fibers over time, given the rug an extraordinary luster.
Bokhara rugs are a type of Oriental rug with a unique design. What makes this design distinct — whether you’re talking about Pakistan Bokhara rugs or Bokhara rugs made in Iran — is that each one typically features side-by-side rows of guls (a medallion design) surrounded by decorative geometric patterns. Because of this, Bokhara Oriental rugs are easy to spot and widely beloved throughout the world.
Rug Source stocks a large variety of Bokhara rugs for sale, available in various color schemes and sizes. Find everything from small, 1-foot-by-2-foot designs to large, 10-foot-by-14-foot Bokhara area rugs. Known for their high quality, beauty and durability, these pieces make exquisite focal points anywhere they’re placed.
A Basic Guide to Buying Bokhara Rugs
When you’re looking for a quality Bokhara rug, there are several factors to consider. You want to choose a rug you’ll love for many years to come. To help you through the buying process, we’ve created this brief guide for you to reference while shopping.
If you have any questions not covered below, please contact us anytime. Our experts are happy to answer your questions and help you find the kind of Bokhara rugs you’ll love for a lifetime.
Background:
The term Bokhara comes from a location in Central Asia where the Tekke and Salor tribes lived. It’s come to be used to describe what are considered Tekke-faced rugs, which may incorporate ideas from both tribes. That’s because, when the Tekke conquered the Salor tribe, many historians believe they assimilated with the Salors’ ideas. Today, Bokhara rugs are made in many parts of the world, including Pakistan, Iran, India, Turkey, Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Shape and Design:
A Bokhara rug is typically rectangular in shape, although there are some that are square. You will see varieties in many color schemes, and the specific style and feel will depend on where the rug was made.
Pakistani Bokharas, which tend to use a predominantly cotton base, are some of the most popular handmade rugs anywhere. They feature a soft, thick pile, as well as a luxurious feel.
Central Asian Bokharas usually are mostly made of wool, and they feature a tighter, denser pile.
There are also Afghani Bokharas made with wool, cotton or silk bases, usually in reddish colors.
Finding Genuine Bokhara Area Rugs at Rug Source
When it comes to antique Bokhara rugs, there’s no better place than Rug Source. As the largest online retailer of area rugs, we promise the lowest online prices and even offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Our rugs are priced 60 to 70 percent below retail and 30 to 40 percent lower than our direct competitors. Browse our online catalog or visit our showroom in Charlotte to find something that’s perfect for you, whatever your aesthetics or budget.
Contact us today to learn more!