Persian Rug Kashan 151 x 97 cm Wool Hand-knotted

Keshan Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Keshan Persian rug is hand-knotted and has a pile made from high-quality sheep wool. Cotton is specified for the warp and weft. The combination of wool pile and cotton foundation is one of the stated characteristics of this rug. Wool gives the surface a pleasant textile handle, while cotton is identified as the material used for the structural elements of the rug.

The product information gives an approximate knot density of 100,000 knots per square metre; Keshan rugs in the described tradition are also associated with a typical range from 100,000 to 300,000 knots per square metre. In a hand-knotted rug, this density reflects a carefully built structure and supports the rendering of an organised design. This particular piece is also described as hard-wearing.

High-quality sheep wool and cotton are the materials explicitly named for this rug. It is not described as a silk rug, but as a hand-knotted Keshan Persian rug with a wool pile. That distinction gives a precise account of its textile character and explains why the rug is presented as suitable for living spaces. Its condition is stated as very good.

Origin and Tradition

The rug comes from Keshan in Iran. Keshan, also commonly written as Kashan, is one of the recognised centres of Persian carpet and textile production. Its craft traditions developed within a region shaped by contact between different trading centres. The source text specifically connects Keshan with the Silk Road. This network brought prosperity and prestige to the area and helped its textiles become known beyond the local market.

Persian rugs are more than functional floor coverings within this tradition. Their production brings together knowledge of materials, established ornament systems and a working method in which a design is built knot by knot. Keshan rugs are associated with controlled compositions, a legible centre and surrounding ornament. The place name therefore points both to a geographic origin and to a regional approach to design and workmanship.

Trade along the Silk Road helped Keshan rugs gain international recognition. In the ancient Persian Empire, carpets were sought-after trade goods. This history explains the continuing association between Keshan and an established carpet-making culture. It is historical context for the origin of the rug described here, not an additional age claim about this individual piece.

Some Keshan rugs are more than 100 years old and are collected for their quality and distinctive designs. No age is given for the rug offered here. The documented points are its origin in Keshan, Iran, its hand-knotted construction, its stated materials and its very good condition. Keeping those points separate from general historical examples provides a clear description of this one-off rug.

The source also mentions other Persian rug traditions for regional comparison. Ardekan rugs may resemble Keshan rugs in their patterns, but are described there as not reaching the same quality level. Isfahan rugs are associated with more complex designs and a higher knot density. Tabriz rugs are known for detailed work and artistic patterns. Nain and Qom are likewise named as important Persian rug types, each reflecting its own regional approach to materials and design.

Design and Pattern

The pattern of this rug is described as a classic medallion design. A medallion organises the composition around a central ornament. This creates a clear visual route from the centre to the surrounding field and onward to the border. The medallion is the specific pattern feature given for this rug; no further details about its actual colours, border arrangement or individual floral motifs are stated.

Central medallions are a familiar idea within Keshan design traditions. In typical regional compositions, floral ornaments may accompany the main form, frame it or connect the inner field with the border. These general characteristics explain how a medallion design can structure a carpet without assigning additional motifs to this particular example.

The source names intense colours such as red, blue and beige as typical of Keshan rugs. Those colours describe a regional design vocabulary and are not used here as a precise colour specification for this individual rug. What is firmly identified is the classic medallion pattern. The exact colour impression of the one-off piece should therefore be assessed from its images and from viewing the rug itself.

The ordered central composition is an important feature of many classic Persian carpet designs. A medallion may be laid out with strong symmetry or accompanied by finer floral forms. In a hand-knotted rug, these relationships are not printed onto the finished surface; they are developed row by row as the knots are tied. Knot density supports the detailed construction of a design, while recurring ornaments give the composition visual continuity.

The Keshan tradition combines decorative order with an ornamental language built from repeated and related forms. In a typical composition, the central field, surrounding florals and borders can work together as a coherent whole. By comparison, Isfahan rugs are described in the source as having more complex designs, while Tabriz is associated with intricate detail and artistic patterning. These comparisons explain regional differences and do not change the classification of this rug as a Keshan medallion design.

Nain and Qom are also mentioned as independent Persian traditions. Each region has its own ideas about pattern structure, materials and the execution of handwork. Keshan remains the relevant origin and style designation for this rug. The classic medallion is the central decorative feature explicitly identified for it.

Special Features

The stated features include hand-knotted construction, a pile of high-quality sheep wool, cotton in the warp and weft, and a hard-wearing character. The condition is given as very good. Together with the classic medallion design, these details provide a concise account of the individual rug without adding unsupported claims about age, a signature or restoration work.

Its origin in Keshan, Iran places the rug within a long-established Persian textile region. Its classification as a Persian rug follows that Iranian origin. No signature, restoration or special provenance is provided in the source, so none is added here. The distinctive combination documented for this piece is its Keshan origin, hand-knotted wool construction, cotton foundation and classic medallion pattern.

FAQ

How should I care for my Keshan Persian rug?

Vacuum the rug regularly to remove dust and dirt before they settle into the surface. If a stain occurs, treat it immediately with a damp cloth and a mild cleaning product. Work gently rather than rubbing the pile forcefully or soaking it unnecessarily. Professional cleaning every few years may also be recommended to help keep the rug in very good condition. Although the hand-knotted sheep-wool rug is described as hard-wearing, it still benefits from careful handling. For a thorough clean, use a specialist familiar with hand-knotted Persian rugs and wool pile.

Where do Keshan Persian rugs come from?

Keshan Persian rugs come from Keshan in Iran. The city is known for its carpet-making expertise and has a long history of producing carpets and textiles. Its reputation was strengthened by the Silk Road, which connected the region with wider trade and helped its weaving traditions gain international recognition. The origin of this rug is Keshan, Iran. Places such as Isfahan, Tabriz, Nain and Qom represent separate regional traditions and are not alternative origins for this rug.

What materials are used for Keshan Persian rugs?

For this rug, the pile is made from high-quality sheep wool. Cotton is specified for the warp and weft. This combination brings together the tactile character of a wool pile with a durable textile foundation. The rug is hand-knotted and described as hard-wearing in the product information. The materials specifically identified are therefore sheep wool and cotton. Silk is not stated for this piece and should not be added as a material characteristic.