Provenance and Manufactory Heritage

This palatial Manchester Kashan was hand-knotted in Kashan in central Iran around 1910 (approximately 1900–1920). At 300 × 470 cm it carries the silky sheen, dense floral drawing and saturated palette associated with Manchester Kashans of the early twentieth century.

In the late nineteenth century, the workshops of Kashan began importing Australian merino wool processed in the spinning mills of Manchester, England. The fibres were longer and finer than local wool and took dyes with brilliance. The resulting carpets are known to the trade as Manchester Kashans.

This piece is hand-knotted at approximately 250,000–360,000 knots per m², set on a cotton warp and weft, with a pile of around 7–9 mm. The drawing of the small flowers, leaf veins and slender curling tendrils is possible at this density — and the Manchester wool gives every line a soft sheen.

Colour and Composition

The palette is the classic Manchester Kashan vocabulary. A warm coral-to-brick madder red carries the inner field — aged into a soft, luminous salmon-rose patina. A deep indigo-blue main border frames the composition, with royal-blue and powder-blue accents in the leaves and rosettes, honey and golden yellow in the stems and tendrils, caramel browns in the main vines, and fine ivory guard lines separating the border bands.

The composition is a classic Kashan allover floral field — no central medallion, but a balanced, rhythmic pattern of rising, branching flower sprays that reads almost as a stylised garden. Small palmettes, rosettes and dense clusters of blossoms fill every interstice; the indigo main border carries large floral palmettes and curling vines, framed by narrower guard borders with running floral repeats.

Presence in the Room

At 300 × 470 cm (14.1 m²) this is a palatial-format carpet for substantial rooms. Three contexts in which the Manchester Kashan comes into its own:

• Formal dining room: under a long table seating ten to fourteen, the rising floral sprays read as a measured pattern from above — the warm red ground gives the room presence.
• Large living room or reception: anchoring a full sofa group with armchairs and side tables, the saturated palette and fine drawing reward close looking.
• Modern counterpoint: the saturation of an antique carpet becomes a focal point against minimal walls and contemporary lines.

Specifications

Djoharian — Since 1967

With roots in the Grand Carpet Bazaar of Tehran and more than five decades of experience in the international rug trade, Djoharian has specialised in antique and designer rugs since 1967. Djoharian has been a 1stDibs Recognized Dealer since 2013 and is also a Label STEP certified dealer for fair-trade knotted rugs (new production).

Service and Delivery

Every piece is expertly inspected in our atelier in Lohr am Main before dispatch. For expert washing and repair we offer our own professional rug cleaning service. We offer secure and fast worldwide shipping, fully insured. Viewing in our Lohr am Main showroom is welcome by appointment.