Antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rugs are considered some of the finest and most collectible in the oriental rug industry. Known for their fine weave and intricate designs, these rugs are a true representation of the golden age of Persian weaving. The crème de la crème of all antique Kashan rugs, Mohtasham Kashans are revered for their elegance and craftsmanship. Made in the 19th-century city of Kashan, these rugs often feature a central medallion design and are made of high-quality lamb’s wool. Mohtasham Kashan rugs typically have a high knot count, with some reaching up to 400 knots per square inch, showcasing the skill and expertise of the weaver. Each Antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rug is dyed using natural dyes, adding to their beauty and longevity.
Let’s delve deeper into the captivating world of Mohtasham Kashan rugs by exploring three exceptional examples:
- A Signed Masterpiece from the Farzin Mollain Collection: Measuring 223 x 149 cm, this awe-inspiring rug boasts a signature, signifying its exceptional quality. It features a prayer niche, traditionally a special space for Muslims to perform their daily prayers. The symmetrical peacock and tree motifs, likely symbolic of paradise and longevity, are rendered in a captivating color palette.
- A Treasure Up for Auction (Christie’s, London): On 31 Mar 2022, a stunning Kashan “Mohtasham” carpet was offered at Christie’s auction in London. Estimated between GBP 20,000 – GBP 25,000, this piece, measuring 227cm. x 136cm, is likely circa 1880 and potentially features a central medallion design, a hallmark of Mohtasham Kashan rugs. Auctions like this present a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a piece of history.
- A Decorative Gem from the Farzin Mollain Collection: This captivating 221 x 128 cm Kashan Mohtasham rug, also from Farzin Mollain’s collection, showcases the versatility of these rugs. In contrast to the prayer rug, it likely served a decorative purpose, absence of a prayer niche. The intricate details and color palette, possibly featuring an all-over floral pattern, are a testament to the weaver’s artistry.
Brief overview of Persian Kashan Mohtasham antique carpets
Mohtasham Kashan antique rugs are considered some of the most collectible and revered antique Persian carpets in the world. These antique rugs originate from the city of Kashan, a central Persian city known for its rich history in the persian carpet industry. The Mohtasham rugs are named after the renowned weaver Hassan Mohtasham who was part of the golden age of Persian weaving in the 19th-century. The intricate designs, fine weave, and high knot count (often around 200-300 knots per square inch) make Mohtasham Kashans a true crème de la crème among oriental rugs.
The Mohtasham Kashan rugs typically feature a central medallion design and are made from high-quality lamb’s wool dyed using natural ingredients. The level of intricacy in the design and the high knot count per square inch reflect the skill and expertise of the weavers who crafted these masterpieces. These antique Persian carpets are known for their elegance and fine weave, making them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
The legacy of Kashan Mohtasham Carpets
Mohtasham Kashan carpets are among the most revered and luxurious antique rugs ever created. These carpets are celebrated for their remarkable craftsmanship, dating back to the latter part of the 19th century, a period often regarded as the renaissance of Persian weaving rather than the 16th-century Safavid Dynasty. The weavers of Mohtasham Kashan rugs, originating from the central Persian city of Kashan, were known for their exceptional skills, achieving a high knot count and demonstrating an unparalleled finesse in their intricate designs.
The Mastery of Hajji Mollah Mohammed Hassan Mohtasham
A key historical figure associated with these carpets is Hajji Mollah Mohammed Hassan Mohtasham, a master weaver whose name became synonymous with quality and whose work set the standard for luxury in Persian carpets. The legacy of these antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rugs crafted by Mohtasham’s workshop is nothing short of legendary. Often referred to as the “crème de la crème” of all antique Kashan rugs, these masterpieces are renowned for their elegant designs, featuring sophisticated medallion patterns and a sumptuous color palette derived from natural dyes.
Continuation of a Weaving Tradition
While the zenith of Persian weaving is often misattributed to the 16th century, it is the 19th-century Mohtasham Kashans that are most sought after by collectors today. These exquisite pieces are seen as the epitome of antique Persian rugs and continue to be celebrated for their intricate patterns and sublime craftsmanship. In Kashan, the tradition of rug making endures, with contemporary weavers drawing inspiration from Mohtasham’s techniques and designs to create carpets that honor the legacy of their forebears.
Origins and Craftsmanship of Mohtasham Kashan Rugs
The Mohtasham Kashan rugs, hailing from the historic city of Kashan, are lauded as the pinnacle of all antique Persian Kashan rugs. Notable for their delicate weave, elaborate designs, and impressive knot density, these rugs often feature over 300 knots per square inch, a testament to the intricacy of their craftsmanship. The Mohtasham rug lineage, while mistakenly linked to the Safavid dynasty, actually flourished toward the end of the 19th century.
Artisanal Techniques and Natural Materials
The production of antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rugs involved a rigorous hand-knotting process, where each knot was painstakingly tied to create a dense and detailed pattern. The wool, often sourced from high-grade lamb’s wool known as kurk, was dyed with natural substances, allowing for a range of vibrant, lasting colors. This labor-intensive technique culminated in carpets that represent the pinnacle of quality within the rich tapestry of Persian rug-making traditions.
Untold Stories: Unveiling the Rarity and Value of Mohtasham Souf Rugs
A Mohtasham souf is a type of antique pictorial rug woven in the Kashan region of Persia during the late 19th century. These rugs are highly prized and valuable, featuring intricate designs with figural motifs and scenes depicting people, animals, and landscapes. They were produced in the workshops of the renowned master weaver Mohtasham, who was active in Kashan during that period. The Mohtasham soufs are known for their exceptional quality, with some pieces incorporating silk and metal threads.
Typical characteristics of Mohtasham souf rugs include:
- Woven in Kashan, Persia (Iran) around 1890
- Pictorial designs with figural scenes and motifs
- High knot density and fine weave
- Use of high-quality materials like silk and metal threads
- Relatively small sizes
These rugs are highly sought after by collectors and command significant prices at auctions, with estimates ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars/euros depending on size and condition. Their rarity, historical significance, and artistic merit make Mohtasham souf Kashan rugs among the most valuable and desirable Persian carpets.
The Historical Importance of Mohtasham Kashan Rugs
The significance of Mohtasham Kashan rugs in the annals of Persian rug weaving cannot be overstated. These carpets are emblematic of the 19th-century reawakening of Persian artistic expression, rather than the 16th-century Safavid era often miscredited with their origin. Master weaver Hassan Mohtasham’s legacy is evident in the rugs’ intricate medallion patterns and the lustrous dyes that color the high-quality wool, making each rug a piece of woven artistry. Mohtasham Kashan rugs are rightfully venerated as the crown jewels of antique Persian carpets, collected and admired worldwide for their historic significance and exquisite beauty.
History of Kashan Mohtasham carpets
Mohtasham Kashan carpets are considered some of the most exquisite antique rugs in the world. These Mohtasham Kashan rugs date back to the 16th-century during the golden age of Persian weaving, and they are known for their fine weave and intricate designs. The weavers of these antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rugs were highly skilled, often achieving a high knot count of knots per square inch. An antique Persian Kashan Mohtasham rug is a highly collectible piece, revered by oriental rug enthusiasts around the world.
One of the key figures in the history of Mohtasham Kashan rugs is Hassan Mohtasham, also known as Hadji Mollah Mohammed Hassan Mohtasham. He was a master weaver during the Safavid Dynasty and is considered one of the most revered weavers of Kashan. The antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rugs crafted by Mohtasham are often referred to as the “crème de la crème” of all antique Kashan rugs.
These antique Persian carpets are known for their elegance and beauty, featuring intricate medallion designs and a rich color palette achieved through dye made from natural sources. The age of Persian weaving reached its peak during the 19th-century, and the Mohtasham Kashans from this period are highly sought after by collectors. Kashan rugs are considered the “crème of all antique Persian rugs,” and Mohtasham Kashan rugs are revered as the finest examples of this rug type. Today, Mohtasham carpets are still produced in the city of Kashan, keeping the tradition of Persian rug making alive. Whether you are a collector or simply appreciate the intricacy of the design, an antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rug
Origins and production techniques
Mohtasham Kashan rugs are considered the crème de la crème of all antique Persian Kashan rugs. Originating from the city of Kashan in central Persia, these antique rugs are known for their fine weave, intricate designs, and high knot count, with some Mohtasham rugs boasting up to 400 knots per square inch. The Mohtasham rug tradition dates back to the 16th-century Safavid dynasty, considered the golden age of Persian weaving. The weavers, led by Hassan Mohtasham, were revered for their skill and elegance in creating these collectible medallion rugs.
Production techniques for antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rugs involve a meticulous process of dyeing the lamb’s wool and weaving each knot by hand. The result is a rug type that is considered the crème de la crème of all antique Kashan carpets. The intricacy of the design and the fine weave make Mohtasham Kashan rugs highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of Oriental rugs.
Significance in Persian rug history
One of the most revered antique persian mohtasham kashan rugs in the history of Persian rug weaving is the Kashan Mohtasham carpet. These antique rugs from the 16th-century Safavid Dynasty are considered the crème de la crème of all antique Kashan rugs. Known for their fine weave, intricate designs, and high knot count, Mohtasham Kashans are highly collectible and sought after by rug enthusiasts around the world.
Hassan Mohtasham, the renowned weaver behind these masterpieces, produced carpets with a knot count of up to 400 knots per square inch. The Mohtasham rugs are known for their elegant medallion designs and use of vibrant dyes on high-quality lamb’s wool. The Mohtasham weave is characterized by its fine weave and attention to detail, making each carpet a true work of art. It’s no wonder why Mohtasham Kashan rugs are considered the crème of all antique Persian carpets.
Characteristics of Kashan Mohtasham carpets
Mohtasham Kashan carpets are considered the crème de la crème of all antique Persian rugs. Originating from the city of Kashan in central Persia, these antique rugs are known for their fine weave, intricate designs, and high knot count. Dating back to the 19th-century, Mohtasham Kashan rugs are considered collectible pieces and are highly revered in the Persian rug industry. Hassan Mohtasham, a weaver from the Safavid dynasty in the 16th-century era, was one of the most revered weavers of Kashan. The antique Persian Kashan Mohtasham rugs are often characterized by their elegance, medallion designs, and use of high-quality dyes.
Mohtasham Kashan rugs typically have a high knot count, with some pieces boasting up to 400 knots per square inch. The weavings of Mohtasham Kashans are known for their intricate patterns and fine weave, making them a sought-after antique rug type. Mohtasham Kashan carpets are often made of lamb’s wool and are dyed to achieve vibrant colors in their designs. Mohtasham carpets are one of the most revered oriental rugs in the world, with some collectors considering them the crème de la crème of all antique Persian rugs.
Designs and motifs
Mohtasham Kashan rugs are considered the crème de la crème of all antique Persian carpets from the 19th-century. Known for their fine weave and intricate design, these antique rugs are highly collectible and revered in the world of Oriental rugs. Mohtasham Kashan rugs typically have a high knot count, with some reaching up to 800 knots per square inch. The weavers of these rugs, such as Hadji Mollah Mohammed Hassan Mohtasham, were considered some of the most skilled in the Persian rug industry during the Golden Age of Persian weaving in the 16th-century.
The city of Kashan, located in central Persia, was a hub for weavings during this time, producing some of the most elegant and intricate rugs in the Safavid Dynasty. Mohtasham Kashan rugs often feature a central medallion design and are made from high-quality materials such as lamb’s wool. The dye used in these rugs is also of the highest quality, adding to their beauty and longevity. Mohtasham Kashan rugs are truly a testament to the skill and artistry of Persian weavers.
Materials used
Mohtasham Kashan rugs are considered some of the finest antique Persian carpets. These antique rugs are known for their fine weave, intricate knot work, and use of high-quality dyes. The weavers of Mohtasham Kashan rugs were part of the Safavid Dynasty in the 16th-century, a golden age of Persian weaving. Each rug is meticulously crafted with a high knot count (knots per square inch), resulting in a fine weave that is unmatched in Oriental rugs . The medallion designs and intricate patterns of Mohtasham Kashan rugs add an air of elegance to any space.
Hassan Mohtasham, the famed weaver behind Mohtasham rugs, was renowned for his attention to detail and craftsmanship. His rugs are highly sought after by collectors and are considered collectible pieces. The city of Kashan was a hub for the Persian rug industry, and Mohtasham rugs were considered the crème de la crème of all antique Kashan rugs. Even today, Mohtasham Kashan rugs are revered for their quality and beauty.
For those looking to add a piece of history to their home, an antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rug is a timeless investment. Whether sourced from reputable dealers like Mollaian Rugs or Nazmiyal, these rugs are considered the crème de la crème of all antique Persian Kashan rugs.
Factors that influence value
Understanding the factors that influence the value of an antique rug requires a nuanced appreciation of its historical context and craftsmanship. Key to the appraisal of these 19th-century masterpieces is the intricacy of their weave, which includes both the density of knots per square inch and the complexity of their designs. Notably, the repute of the weaver, epitomized by Hassan Mohtasham, is a pivotal determinant of the rug’s worth.
The choice and application of dyes in crafting a Mohtasham Kashan rug are indicative of its value. The depth, richness, and fastness of the colors can enhance the rug’s desirability, with natural dyes being particularly prized. Equally important are the rug’s age, reflecting its period within the 19th century, and its state of preservation. The presence of a well-defined medallion and the overall finesse of the rug add layers of allure to these already coveted pieces.
Antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rugs are justifiably recognized as the jewels in the crown of antique Kashan weavings. The weavers from the city of Kashan, during what was a renaissance period for Persian rug-making in the 19th century, not the 16th century, achieved remarkable feats in rug creation, producing textiles with exceptionally fine weaves and high knot counts. These rugs are now pursued by collectors and Oriental rug enthusiasts alike, who are captivated not only by their aesthetic appeal but also by their embodiment of historical craftsmanship.
The Mohtasham Kashan rugs, coming from the renowned weaving centre of Kashan during the 19th century, represent the summit of antique Persian rugs. These rugs were considered the pinnacle of their kind during their time, thanks to the exceptional materials such as premium lamb’s wool used in their production. The beauty and skill inherent in the antique Mohtasham Kashan rugs crafted in this era continue to be celebrated and highly valued for their remarkable beauty and the masterful artistry they represent.
Why You Should Learn About Mohtasham Kashan Rugs
As an international expert in antique Persian carpets, I can confidently say that understanding Mohtasham Kashan rugs is essential for anyone who appreciates the pinnacle of Persian weaving artistry. Let’s embark on a journey through three exceptional Mohtasham masterpieces, each showcasing the unique qualities that set these rugs apart.
Case Study 1: The Signed Prayer Rug (Farzin Mollain Collection)
This magnificent piece, measuring 223 x 149 cm, boasts not only its impressive size but also a prestigious signature, a mark of exceptional quality reserved for only the finest Mohtasham creations. The presence of a prayer niche instantly identifies its religious significance. The symmetrical peacock and tree motifs surrounding the niche are more than just beautiful embellishments. They likely hold symbolic meaning, with peacocks representing paradise and trees signifying longevity. The meticulous use of negative space around these central elements highlights the masterful artistry and meticulous planning that went into crafting this rug. Studying this piece underscores the importance Mohtasham weavers placed on imbuing their creations with not only beauty but also cultural and religious significance.
The object under examination is an ornate Signed Kashan Mohtasham Antique Persian prayer field rug. Dating back to circa 1890, this artifact originates from Persia, a region historically acclaimed for its sophisticated carpet weaving practices.
The rug features a design replete with symmetrical arrangements of Peacock and tree motifs, which are central to the composition. These motifs are not merely decorative but are imbued with profound symbology within Persian cultural lexicon. The peacock typically signifies immortality and divine guardianship, while the tree represents vitality and perpetual life. Their deliberate placement around the prayer niche (mihrab) suggests a visual metaphor for spiritual ascent.
The primary chromatic presence on this textile is a terracotta shade, establishing a warm, earthen foundation for the motif narrative. Complementary to this is the second most dominant color, indigo, which is employed to define and accentuate the intricate patterns against the terracotta backdrop.
Intriguingly, the artifact bears a signature indicating its creation within the workshop of Mohammad Hassan, son of Mr. Mohammad Reza Kashani. This inscription not only authenticates the rug but also connects it to its historical lineage of craftsmanship.
The construction of the rug utilizes wool for the knotting and pile, which is characteristic of the luxury and tactile richness associated with Persian rugs. The structural integrity is maintained by cotton in both warp and weft, which provides durability while maintaining the textile’s suppleness.
The dimensions of the rug are recorded at 223 × 149 cm, a size that renders it a prominent showpiece capable of anchoring the aesthetic of an interior space. As an artifact, this rug represents not only the artistic acumen of its era but also stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Persian textile craft.