Carpets - Arch with Column and Ornamental Icicles
Size: 154x103 cm
Origin and time: Kashan, 19th century
Carpet Museum of Iran, Tehran
No. of Raj: 80
Kashan is a city in North Central Iran. In the 17th and early 18th century, Persian carpets were manufactured at Royal workshops. The workshops ceased production around 1722 after the Afghan invasion. Consequently, the Persian Carpet production was insignificant until the 20th century.
Historically, Kashan was a major center in the garment trade. The finest quality rugs from Kashan were called Mohtashem after the name of the workshop where they were manufactured. Today, it is generally assumed that Mohtashem is an indication of fine quality production rather than a trade name of a particular workshop. However, due to the existence of some signed Mohtashem rugs, it is certain that the workshop had existed. The early Kashans were made of Manchester wool, because from 1890 to 1930, the main source of wool was the city of Manchester where wool was processed from Merino sheep and was softer to the touch.
