79670 Antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan Rug, 13'09 x 19'05.
The Imperial Hunt: Signed 19th Century Mohtasham Kashan Masterpiece of Paradise
This hand-knotted wool signed antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan rug, woven in the Late 19th Century, is a work of extraordinary courtly refinement and historical gravitas. Attributed to the celebrated workshop tradition of Hajji Mollah Mohammed Hassan Mohtasham, this stunning masterpiece belongs to one of the most esteemed names in Persian weaving, revered for its luminous wool, disciplined drawing, and aristocratic elegance. The presence of the cartouche inscription further elevates its rarity, transforming the carpet into a documented work of authorship and connoisseurship. It is a rug that transcends decoration, embodying prestige, provenance, and the cultivated legacy of the Qajar era.
At the heart of the exceptional composition rests a navy blue elongated octofoil medallion, remarkably anchored by cusped pendants that descend like ceremonial finials through the field. This commanding axis evokes the architectural symmetry of Persian garden design, drawing the eye into a woven vision of paradise. The surrounding beige field unfolds as a richly articulated Garden of Paradise and hunting design, alive with scrolling branches and flowering vines. Here bloom lotus blossoms symbolizing immortality, Shah Abbas palmettes signifying regal order and divine harmony, tulips of prosperity, rosettes of celestial perfection, and delicate cypress forms representing serenity and rebirth. Each floral spray is rendered with the lyrical precision that defines the finest Kashan work, creating an atmosphere of cultivated abundance and spiritual grace.
What makes this piece particularly compelling is its narrative vitality. Within the flowering landscape move elephants, deer, leopards, and tigers in pursuit, a grand hunting tableau deeply rooted in Persian court symbolism. These iconic emblems evoke royal sport, sovereignty, and dominion over the natural world, while also reflecting the eternal rhythm of life, mortality, and renewal. The deer signify grace and innocence, the tiger and leopard embody force and nobility, and the elephant, seldom seen and highly coveted in Persian carpets, suggests imperial strength, wisdom, and ceremonial magnificence. This dramatic interplay between flora and fauna transforms the carpet into a visual epic—an aristocratic vision of paradise where beauty and power coexist in unparalleled balance.
The exquisite work of art is magnificently framed by elaborate navy blue corner spandrels, enriched with botanical elements and enclosed by flowing acanthus rinceaux that extend along the sides to form an inner architectural framework. Encasing the entire field is a sumptuous lotus blossom and Shah Abbas palmette border, its floral cadence echoing the grandeur of Safavid court carpets. The border is beautifully flanked by double guard borders, adding refinement and depth to the presentation. This signed Mohtasham Kashan is not simply an antique carpet—it is an heirloom of heritage, rarity, and cultivated luxury, destined for interiors where history, prestige, and artistry are paramount.
- Signed cartouche: Mohtasham, Hadji Mollah Mohammed Hassan.
- Abrash.
- Hand knotted wool.
- Made in Iran.
- Measures: 13'09 x 19'05.
- Pile Height: 0.15 of an inch.
- Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.
