Kashan, an ancient city in central Persia, began weaving silk in the 16th century and then specialised in the 19th in the production of very fine knotted carpets in silk and wool of the highest quality. In the Cerruti collection are preserved eight Kashan rugs. The first and oldest of these rugs (inv. no. A698) dates from the beginning of the 19th century and is finely woven in wool with details in silk and a design of classic Safavid derivation with a vast floral repertoire and many animal figures. The others, some of which are very large and one with a pile entirely of silk (inv. no. A703), belong to the Mohtashem group of the finest and most highly-prized Kashan rugs. The name is that of a legendary master weaver of Kashan whose existence has, however, been called into question even though there are at least two known rugs bearing the signature of Hajji Mullah Muhammed Hasan Mohtashem.¹ The workshop in question is thought to have woven rugs from 1882 to 1914 and then continued production for a few decades, for which reason a distinction is also made between Mohtashem the father and Mohtashem the son. The rugs of this group are all very finely woven and present very rich and elaborate designs. While some specimens are made entirely of wool, others made of wool can present warps of silk and blue wefts. Another characteristic feature should be the original finishing of the purplish red silk selvedges at the sides. Only one of the Cerruti rugs (inv. no. A702) bears a cartouche with an inscription: “A. Muhammad Hussein, merchant of Kashan”. This refers, however, not to the master weaver but to the client, who appears to have been a well-known figure in the late 19th century. 

Alberto Boralevi 

¹ See Bennett 1987, pp. 44-49. a b