Antique Persian Manchester Kashan Carpet, Signed

This elegant antique Persian Manchester Kashan is an outstanding example of the finest early 20th-century production from the celebrated weaving center of Kashan. Woven with the famous imported Manchester-spun Merino wool from England, these carpets are admired for their exceptionally soft, lustrous pile and refined workmanship. Manchester wool was used by Kashan's finest workshops between approximately 1890 and 1930 and is considered one of the hallmarks of superior Kashan production. The carpet displays a richly saturated coral-red field adorned with an intricate all-over scrolling arabesque and floral vine pattern. Rather than relying on a dominant central medallion, the composition flows gracefully across the entire field, creating remarkable visual movement while maintaining perfect balance and symmetry. Stylized palmettes, flowering vines, botehs, and elegant curvilinear motifs reflect the influence of the great Safavid court designs. The deep midnight-blue main border frames the field beautifully with an elaborate display of palmettes, blossoms, and scrolling vines, providing dramatic contrast to the vibrant coral field. The natural dye palette—comprised of rich coral red, deep indigo, ivory, gold, olive green, and soft sky blue—has matured beautifully over the past century, giving the carpet exceptional warmth and depth. The close-up photograph clearly demonstrates the silky texture and dense weave characteristic of genuine Manchester wool Kashans. The pile retains excellent luster and clarity of design, while the very good condition enhances both its decorative appeal and collector desirability. Manchester Kashan carpets of this quality remain among the most sought-after early 20th-century Persian carpets because they combine outstanding craftsmanship, luxurious materials, and timeless elegance.