Kashan Handmade Silk and Silk Persian Carpet

Measurements: 6' x 9' size

Knotts: 576 PSI (Per Square Inch)

The history of Kashmir carpets dates back to the period of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (r.a.) 1341-1385 A.D. - the famous Sufi saint of Persia who, traveling the silk trade route, came to enlighten Kashmir with his spiritual guidance and brought highly skilled artisans. He laid the foundation for a soon to be world-renown industry located in the Kashmir valley.

Contrary to the general belief that carpets are connected with the advent of Islam, numerous sources show the use of carpets by the ancient Greeks as early as the sixth century B.C.  The bible even references rugs.   Islam’s influence on the art of carpet making came from the need for specially made carpets for use in mosques and palaces that would were large and beautiful. The earliest Persian carpets to have survived are the masterpieces of the Safarid dynasty (1501-1722 AD).  Persians did not adhere to the Islamic law on representing living things. The carpet weaving that had its roots in Persia was introduced to Kashmir in 14th century. 

SELECTING THE RIGHT CARPET, What do you need to know?

The knots determine the durability, strength price and quality of carpets. Kashmir carpets are often woven either double knots (less resistant to touch and pressure) or and single knot (fluffier). Knots are counted on the reversed of a carpet and no Kashmiri carpet has a knot count lower 324 per square inch. Expensive collector’s pieces have knot counts as high as 2000 per square inch. 

Kashmiri carpets are made of silk while carpets woven in other places are without exception made from wool or a combination of wool and another material (silk or linen). In addition, all Kashmiri carpets are made entirely by hand, machines cannot be used.

Design, Pattern and Size

Carpet woven in Kashmir display designs that are primarily floral or zoological though geometrical motifs are also found. The designs are named after Iranian city like Kashan, Kirman, Ardabil, Meshad, Qum, Faraghan, Hamadan and so on. Most Kashmiri designs are two sided.  A few notable exceptions to this general rule are; tree of life; guldasta, or the vase design which is a variation of the tree of life theme; the mango leaf or paisley design; the prayer rug design and hunting scenes or pictorial representations of Persian mythologies. Carpets are generally made in sizes like 5x3 feet / 7x5 feet / 9x6 feet / 12x9 feet. Sizes other than these are difficult to come by.

Color and Material

The colors of the Kashmir carpet are more subtle and muted when compared to carpets from other countries. Vegetable dyes are used for coloring the yarn and shades of red, green, yellow, blue are the featured colors.  The proportion of silk to wool is generally 25:75 or 35:65. Kashmiri carpets are made with pure silk on cotton base, wool & silk on cotton base, or, sometimes silk on silk base. Silk on cotton base is popularly known as 80% silk. The price of carpet depends on the size and the silk; cotton and wool mix in it.