Handwoven Carpet, Vase Layout, Wool and Silk on Silk Warp, Kashan, 135 × 210 cm Ref 10200021

This antique handwoven Kashan rug in a vase design is not merely woven but truly created—a tableau of thread and silk whose blossoms spring from the heart of Iranian taste. In the enigmatic world of Persian handwoven rugs, Kashan shines like a gem whose brilliance has long captivated connoisseurs. Measuring 135 × 210 cm (4'5" × 6'11") with an area of about 2.84 m² (30.57 ft²), this stately rectangular piece stands well beyond an ordinary rug. With a weaving density of approximately 3,300 knots/dm², it belongs to the coarser-weave category; yet what delights the eye is not the knot count, but the intelligent relief of the motifs and the exceptional quality of the materials employed. The warp is of fine, pure silk, paired with artful “sof” detailing and raised silk blossoms—an uncommon combination that imparts volume and depth to the design, setting the flowers in graceful relief upon the cream ground as though a freshly gathered bouquet had been brought home from a silken garden. Rooted in Kashan’s long-standing tradition, the vase design is executed with care and beauty: a vessel brimming with silk flowers from which branches curl upward softly, bearing symbols of life, continuity, blessing, and fertility. With both field and border in cream, the composition achieves a unified, luxurious presence that allows the silk reliefs to stand out with full clarity. This work is far more than a floor covering; it is pure art from Kashan, where the gentle spirit of past artisans still pulses through warp and weft. For those seeking the most luxurious expression of traditional Iranian artistry, this rug is an unparalleled, rare choice.