|
|
Kashan
 |
| Aqa
Bozorg School, Kashan |
Kashan is a city in
North Central Iran. Carpets were produced at Royal workshops
in the 17th and early 18th century. The workshops ceased production
in about 1722 after the Afghan invasion. Carpet production was
very minor until the 20th century. Historically Kashan was a
major center in the garment trade. In the late 19th century
the market shifted and the local industry went from fine wool
cloth to fine wool carpets
From the mid-19th
to the early 20th century the finest quality rugs from Kashan
were called Mohtashem and said to be from the workshop of
"Mohtashem". Today it is generally assumed that
Mohtashem is an indication of fine Kerman workshop production
rather than a firm attribution. However with the existence
of some signed Mohtashem rugs it is certain that the workshop
existed. The early Kashans were made with Manchester wool
and are softer, The change occurred in the 1930s.
Some of the best
Kashans are from Ardistan and excellent ones are also produced
in Yezd and Kashmar in Khorasan
Wool
Kashan is
surrounded by desert and marginal land that does not provide
a source of good wool. From roughly 1890 to 1930 the main source
of wool was Manchester UK. That wool was fine soft garment wool
that was processed in Manchester from Merino sheep. After 1930
the primary source of wool has been Sabzavar.
 |
Mohtashem
Kashan Carpet Late 19th century
15 feet 11 inch by 12 foot 1 inch. |
This is a classic
19th century Mohtashem Kashan. I have always suspected as
do many others that Mohtashem was the Mullah Hassan. The Hajji
Mullah Hassan started the carpet production in Kashan in about
1890. As Cecil Edwards told us in The Persian Carpet Hajji
Mullah Hassan was a merchant who was left with Manchester
wool and no clothing business so his wife wove a rug. His
wife was from Arak and the rug was successful.
There is a certain ring of truth to the Arak origin of the
wife since Mohtashem Kashans have a back like an old Feraghan
Sarouk. Another attribution clue is that rugs and carpets
from the Mohtashem workshop had lavender silk selvages when
new.
Related examples:
Books
& Articles- Sources on Kashan Rugs:
Kashan Links:
|
