Persian Rug Kashmar 402 x 286 cm Wool Hand-knotted

Kashmar Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Kashmar Persian rug is hand-knotted, with a pile made from 100% virgin wool. Its construction joins a natural fibre with a traditional method in which the surface is built knot by knot. Unlike a mechanically uniform floor covering, a hand-knotted rug develops through the deliberate sequence of individual knots, rows, colours and finishing work. The design is therefore integrated directly into the structure rather than printed onto a completed surface.

The rug has a knot density of 350,000 knots per square metre. A dense knot structure allows lines and small decorative elements to be rendered with greater definition. That is especially relevant to a floral vase composition, where stems, leaves, blossoms and surrounding ornament need to remain clearly legible. Virgin wool forms the pile and gives the rug its natural textile handle and its characteristic surface underfoot.

This rug is 15 to 20 years old and is described as being in very good, unused condition. Its thickness is approximately 12 mm and its weight is 4 kg per square metre. It is suitable for use with underfloor heating. These are characteristics of this individual piece and provide practical context alongside its material, knotting method and decorative structure.

Origin and Tradition

Kashmar is a city in northeastern Iran with a recognised carpet-making tradition. Rugs from the area are associated with carefully developed compositions, varied colour arrangements and detailed ornament. Iranian carpet production encompasses many regional schools, each with its own approaches to drawing, colour placement and the organisation of a field. Kashmar belongs to this wider Persian tradition while retaining a distinct regional identity.

Carpet knotting in Persian weaving centres has long been sustained through practical instruction and repeated workshop experience. A weaver learns how to follow a design, maintain the sequence of colours and keep the rows consistent while gradually developing the full image. Such knowledge has often passed through families and workshops across generations. At the same time, established forms can be adjusted to suit different designs, palettes and periods, so regional tradition is not the same as a single fixed pattern.

The history of Persian carpets is made up of several local and urban traditions rather than one universal style. Different centres developed their own relationships between drawing, knot density, colour and border design. Floral ornament, central medallions and vase arrangements appear in a number of Persian design vocabularies, where they can be combined in different ways. A Kashmar rug can therefore be understood both as a regional object and as part of the broader history of Iranian decorative weaving.

The Kashmar origin identifies this rug with an Iranian place known for hand-knotted carpets. Persian rugs are classified not only by their geographical source but also by the relationship between a regional workshop tradition and its visual language. The high knot density of this piece suits a method of working in which a detailed pattern is built through closely placed knots. It does not create a different origin or motif; it describes the way this Kashmar rug carries its design into the woven structure.

Design and Pattern

The design is described as a floral vase motif with a medallion. In Persian ornament, a vase can serve as the source of a stylised botanical arrangement. Flowers, branches and leaves may rise from the vessel or spread outward from it, creating a sense of ordered growth within the field. The vase is consequently more than an isolated object: it provides a visual starting point for a plant-based composition and gives the surrounding forms a clear relationship.

The medallion adds a central point of organisation. In Persian carpet design, a medallion may establish the focus of the field and help arrange the surrounding ornaments around it. Floral scrolls, blossoms and leaves can frame the central form, accompany it or continue into the rest of the composition. The balance comes from the interaction of outline, repetition and open space. Fine knotting helps the individual contours remain distinguishable within the complete pattern.

Blue is the principal colour of this rug, with red accents. Blue is widely used in Persian carpet design to create a substantial ground for floral drawing and to separate major areas of a composition. Red accents can introduce points of emphasis among flowers, outlines or smaller ornaments. In a hand-knotted rug, colour changes are part of the construction itself: each change is placed into the rows of knots rather than applied as a surface image after the rug has been made.

Vase designs have a long decorative history in Oriental carpet traditions and are often associated with abundance, growth and beauty. Those associations belong to the general history of the motif and do not add an unrecorded historical meaning to this individual rug. Here, the documented features are the floral vase motif, the medallion, the blue colouring and the red accents. Together they create a design that can be read from the central arrangement to the smaller botanical details.

Special Features

The specific features of this rug include its hand-knotted construction, a pile of 100% virgin wool and a knot density of 350,000 knots per square metre. Its documented design is a floral vase motif with a medallion, coloured blue with red accents, and its origin is Kashmar. The rug is 15 to 20 years old, is in very good, unused condition and is suitable for rooms with underfloor heating.

Regular vacuuming can help remove loose dust from the pile. For local soiling, a damp cloth and a mild cleaning product are recommended. Harsh chemicals, vigorous rubbing and excessive moisture can place unnecessary strain on a wool surface. Direct sunlight should be avoided where possible to help maintain an even colour appearance. For a full wash or treatment, a professional rug cleaner can assess the wool, dyes and hand-knotted construction before selecting an appropriate method.

FAQ

How should a Persian rug made from wool be cared for?

Vacuum the rug regularly to remove dust and loose particles from the pile. If a small area becomes soiled, use a damp cloth with a mild cleaning product and work gently rather than rubbing hard. Avoid strong chemicals and saturating the rug with water. It is also sensible to limit direct sunlight. A specialist cleaner should handle deeper cleaning because the treatment needs to suit the wool and the hand-knotted structure.

What does the high knot density mean for this rug?

Knot density indicates how many knots are used within a square metre of the rug. A higher density makes it possible to draw contours and smaller decorative elements with greater precision. In this piece, that construction supports the floral vase motif and medallion. Knot density is one technical characteristic among several; it should be considered together with the pile material, the actual condition and the care the rug receives.

Where can this rug be placed?

The floral composition, medallion and blue colour with red accents make the rug suitable for living rooms and dining rooms, and it can also be considered for a hallway when the space and traffic conditions are appropriate. Its suitability for underfloor heating provides an additional practical option. Placement should allow a flat, stable base and enough room for the rug to be used without avoidable strain on its wool pile.