74220 Antique Persian Mohtasham Silk Kashan Rug, 06'06 x 10'06.
Woven during the late 19th century by the celebrated Mohtasham atelier of Kashan, this sublime silk Persian rug embodies a level of craftsmanship and reverence that transcends time. At its core is a magnificent scalloped mihrab niche, a sacred architectural motif that evokes the prayerful archways of Persian sanctuaries. The central niche shelters an overflowing vase of floral abundance, from which two grand trees of life ascend, branching with divine elegance. These twin arboreal forms are not merely decorative—they are deeply symbolic of eternal life, divine connection, and the spiritual ascent of the soul.
The richly layered field of this masterwork is a symphony of visual poetry. Floral elements such as blooming palmettes, delicate star flowers, graceful rosettes, tulips, lilies, sickle leaves, and myriad blossoms spring forth in rhythmic harmony, their curving tendrils dancing across the ivory silk background with fluid grace. Each petal, leaf, and branch is drawn with such care and complexity that the composition becomes a meditation on life, rebirth, and the divine order of nature. The silk fibers, luminous and supple, reflect light like water across the surface, giving the rug a living, breathing presence that transforms any space it inhabits into a sanctuary.
The surrounding borders are no less extraordinary. A series of nested frames features a refined progression of traditional Persian motifs, culminating in the dignified Shah Abbas palmette main border. Inspired by 16th-century Safavid masterpieces, this design lineage reflects a sophisticated patronage and artistic pedigree that speaks directly to collectors and connoisseurs. The Mihrab spandrels, rendered in a soft complementary blue, echo the field’s vegetal rhythm and merge seamlessly into the overall design, offering a quiet balance between structure and freedom. Together, these borders not only contain the exuberance of the central garden but elevate it—much like the walls of a palace enclosing a royal courtyard.
This rare Mohtasham Kashan silk prayer rug is not just an exquisite work of art—it is a cultural heirloom, a vessel of heritage, artistry, and sacred symbolism. With its remarkable state of preservation, rich natural dyes, and poetic design language, it carries the whispers of Persian nobility and the hands of masters who saw rug weaving not as craft but as a divine calling. In a world that increasingly values machine-made precision, this one-of-a-kind treasure offers the ultimate luxury: human touch, intention, and legacy. A singular acquisition for those who seek the profound in the beautiful, and the eternal in the ephemeral.
- Abrash.
- Hand-knotted silk.
- Made in Iran (Persia).
- Measures: 06'06 x 10'06.
- Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.
