Central Persia

The Iranian city of Isfahan has long been one of the centres for production of the famous Persian carpet. Isfahani carpets are known for their high quality. The most famous workshop in Isfahan is Seirafian. Weaving in Isfahan flourished in the Safavid era. But when the Afghans invaded Iran, ending the Safavid dynasty, the craft also became stagnant. The high knot density antique carpets in which Isfahan excelled continued to be woven in the late 19th and 20th centuries, maintaining the original inspiration and attention to refinement and detail.

Nain rugs are constructed with Persian knot and typically have between 300 and 700 knots per inch,usually are with very high quality wool, clipped short, and silk is often used as highlighting for detail in the design. Nains utilize the Shah Abbas design and make use of flowing design such as flowers and tendrils. The most famous and influential Nain masterweaver is Habibian and Reza Jafari Naini.

Very fine Persian Dabir Kashan in perfect condition, circa 1920. High density knotting woven from kork wool, creating an intricate design. From the mid-19th to the early 20th century the finest quality rugs from Kashan were called Dabir and said to be from the workshop of Dabir. Kashan is a city in North Central Iran. We know that there was production of Persian Carpet at Royal workshops in the 17th and early 18th century. Many authors attribute Persian Rugs and Carpet to Kashan in the 16th century particularly of the so-called small silk Kashan Persian Carpet group.

One of the sign of original Mohtasham rug which named "Mohtasham Father" and also showing in this particular rug is the silk edge rapping. Other indications are the fine weave and fine short cut pile, also the special magnificent colors. . “Mohtasham Father “ refers to Kashan rugs made from c.1882 until 1914 woven in a particular atelier with a specific quality wool like English and Australian Merino wool, made by Hajji Mollah Hassan Mohtasham and his skilled weaver. These rugs had a velvety short pile and tight knotting.