Ever since the man appeared on earth, he has always been searching to better himself; better home, better food, better comfort and last but not least, better ways of expressing himself. Surprising as it may seem, the expert weavers of the city of Kashan discovered the panacea of how to improve their life. They have found the balance between functionality and aesthetic comfort by reinventing the beauty of carpets, and by having a Persian Kashan rug you can also bring this equilibrium directly in your home.
Kashan is an oasis city in the province of Ifsahan situated on a caravan route in the Dasht-e Kavir desert, which is right in the heart of Iran. It is heavily dependent on the mountains nearby, which provide water for the inhabitants; many houses in the city are built below the ground level to protect them from heat and scorpions.
The weavers of this city pride themselves on having more than 5 centuries of experience producing stunning rugs and carpets, with only one recorded interruption in the 18th century caused by the Afghan invasion. In the 16th and 17th centuries the city was famous for its royal workshops, it is said that kings from wide spread corners of the world went there to buy carpets in person. The oldest remaining Persian Kashan rug dates back to 1542, and is displayed in the Victoria and Albert museum in London.
At the end of the 19th century the flourishing garment trade took centre stage, however, it wasn't long before the rug trade retook it's rightful place in history. At the beginning of the 20th century they used to import Manchester wool, but they shifted to Sabzavar which is, of course, geographically more accessible.
A Persian Kashan rug is easily recognizable because they have quite a limited range of patterns; most of them having a single diamond-shaped medallion in the middle, with a typical combination of curves and right angles and completed with a myriad of floral motifs (Shah Abbasi), leaf motifs and arabesques. Wild hunting scenes, palmettos and vases can also be found.
A Persian Kashan rug will usually have a rather limited palette, with red, ivory, navy blue and some greens being the predominant colors. Ocre, olive green, white and brown can be found occasionally. Generally, the colors will be arranged in such a way as to convey a very pleasing contrast, not bold, but more conservative and sober in appearance suited for stylish classical interiors.
Most of the carpets have a very fine base with wefts and warps made of cotton and a short, tight and thin wool pile. However, the most beautiful pieces, the ones of exceptional quality, are made entirely of silk. These, and those with a large number of KPSI (over 700), are quite rare and cost proportionally.
Persian Kashan rugs are among the finest and most exquisite carpets in the world, so, just like in the case of other Persian rugs, be careful about fakes as there are many countries which produce chemically dyed, low-KPSI carpets who pretend to be Kashan producers but aren't. It would be a pity not to enjoy the original splendor of a real Persian Kashan rug!
Going into an antique carpet dealer's show room is like going into a museum. Each rug is filled with rich colors and have intricate designs woven into them. Most of the carpets that you see being offered are from Asia. When the makers of the beautiful carpets made them, they wove whole stories into them, filled with the mystery of the Orient.
There are areas that are famous for their quality of weaving, such as Agra and Kashan. Other areas that import these carpets are China, Afghanistan, India, Turkey, Persia and Caucasus. The rugs and carpets are created by hand, using techniques that are thousands of years old. They are very expensive to own, but continue to remain sought after as they lend a not only style but opulence to the home.
If you're ready to buy one, be prepared to pay a lot of money for them. These are true works of art and are priced accordingly.
Once you're ready, start your research. Head off to the library or book store and learn all you can about them. Learn about the different weaving styles and the dyes used on the wool. This way you will be able to tell the difference between true antique carpets and the synthetic copies that disreputable dealers may try to pass off on you.
Visit the galleries and art and antique dealers that sell them. Make sure that the person is reputable so they can guide you and help you make the right choice. Feel the carpets textures and study the weave designs.
Carefully scrutinize the edge and borders of the carpet. These are important indicators of value. If they are damaged or removed, the value is less than those whose edges have been well preserved. Be sure to ask about the age and origin of the carpet. The prices of the rugs can also be contributed to by the area from which it was made. Another thing to watch out for is moth holes and other damages it might have sustained.
As you begin to learn about carpets and studying them you will be able to determine if you are receiving a fair price. The price of the carpet should be attached to the rug. Beware of rugs that do not have a price tag, since this is a sign that the dealer may adjust the price as he sees fit and you could end up paying more than you should.
Both Arnold Hexden & Gregg Hall are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Arnold Hexden has sinced written about articles on various topics from Scooter, Acne Treatment and Home. Arnold Hexden is known for his interesting articles on many subjects.You can read more about antique and Persian rugs on his website: The Antique Rugs Review and Directory which is at. Arnold Hexden's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Gregg Hall has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lingerie, Desserts and Mortgage. Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as at. Gregg Hall's top article generates over 3350000 views. to your Favourites.