KASHAN MOHTASHEM
Early 20th century, origin central Persia, wool pile on cotton foundation.
In Persia the urban-made carpets par excellence are those from the northern-central region, and they all come from a string of cities on the north-south route that links Teheran to Isfahan. In middle is the city of Kashan renowned for its fine textiles and rugs that were made in workshops close to the Safavid court since the 16th century. In the latter half of the ninettenth century following a decline that lasted over century, carpet production was reborn thanks in part to the arrival of many western firms that began ordering quality rugs to export to the United States and Europe. During this period the old workshops were reorganized under new masters who were able to blend the elements of the courtly tradition of carpet weaving with the current needs of the western clientele. The most famous of these was Mohtashem; he became such a legend that some scholars doubt he ever lived because there are no serious or reliable documents available. In fact today the word Mohtashemi is used mainly to describe a style of rug, a special quality of knotting, and a wool and colors that differ from the usual Kashan rugs. The item does not need to bear the great weaver's signature or initials. This Kashan shown here has a central medallion, elongated with pendants and is recognizable mainly because of the softness of the wool and the colors. In particular, note the orangered tone and the contrast between the dark blue of the external medallion and the lighter blue inner medallion that is decorated with abrashes. The ornamentation is splendid with flowery vines on the inner ivory colored field, and animals on the red outer field that include four peacocks and four tigers. The border with its cypresses, flowering trees and birds on the dark blue ground is also striking.