The city of Kashan, among the best-known and highly ranked Persian rug-weaving centers, first rose to prominence in the 16th Century, under the Safavid Dynasty. These workshops earned a reputation for creating many of the most highly sought-after rugs of the Classical period and continued their work into the early 20th Century.

Finely worked over an elegant silver-grey colour field and woven in lustrous high-quality wool, this 1930s Kashan carpet features a series of floral and vegetal motifs, in vegetable dyed tones of cornflower blue and faded bronze. While sharing many of the characteristic drawings of earlier Kashan works, with simplifed variations on the designs of classical Saffavid era weavings, this piece departs from the traditional layout, opting instead for an usually open, free field design, the colour of the border blending with the central field, lending the work a feeling of effortless elegance.

Preserved in very good condition, the fringes and borders all fully retained – the vegetable dyed colours have taken on a mild, characterful patina with age.

This carpet represents a charming example of its type – with a surprisingly modern feel, it would make a fine addition to any setting; in an unsually wide format in relation to its length.