The Arteverk Rug Encyclopedia · Weave Guide
When people picture a "fine Persian rug," they are usually picturing a Kashan — a graceful central medallion, a field of intricate flowers, deep jewel color, all knotted with city precision. It is one of the oldest and most revered names in weaving. Here is what a Kashan rug actually is, what makes it special, and how to choose one.
A Kashan rug is a finely hand-knotted wool rug from the city of Kashan in central Iran — a graceful central medallion in a dense, curvilinear floral field, in deep jewel tones. It is a formal, classic Persian city rug, and the Kashans we carry are predominantly genuine pieces woven in Iran.
Where the Kashan comes from
Kashan is a city on the edge of the central Iranian desert with a weaving pedigree stretching back centuries — it produced some of the most celebrated carpets of the Persian golden age, and its name has been a byword for quality ever since. Unlike the village and nomadic traditions, Kashan is a city rug: woven in workshops, from carefully drawn cartoons, with a refinement and consistency that village looms don't aim for.
The classic Kashan layout is a single elegant medallion floating in a densely filled floral field — palmettes, arabesques and vinework in the shah abbasi tradition — framed by a deep, ornate border. The palette is rich and jewel-like: madder red, indigo and navy, ivory and cream. The overall effect is formal, balanced and timeless.
What makes a rug a "Kashan"
Graceful central medallion
A single, elegant medallion anchors a symmetrical, densely drawn floral field — refined and curvilinear, never bold-geometric.
Deep jewel color
Madder red, indigo, navy and ivory are the classic palette, with softer muted versions for lighter interiors.
Fine city knotting
Woven in workshops with a higher knot density than village rugs — "Kashan Fine" grades and kork-wool pieces are finer still.
One of a kind
Each is hand-knotted, so no two are identical — the consistency of a city rug, with the soul of a hand-made one.
The genuine article — woven in Iran
A true Persian Kashan
Many famous rug names are now woven far from where the design began. Kashan is the happy exception in our collection: the Kashan rugs we carry are predominantly genuine Persian pieces, hand-knotted in Iran — the real article, from the tradition that gave the rug its name.
As always, we let the rug's own record speak: each product page states the Origin (look for Iran) and the Condition (most are new; a few are genuine semi-antique pieces). You will also see Kashan Fine — a finer, masterpiece grade — and the occasional kork wool piece, woven in soft, lustrous lamb's wool. We never dress a rug up as something it isn't; with Kashan, we rarely need to.
Six in-stock Kashan rugs
Each a single, hand-knotted, one-of-a-kind piece — genuine Persian, woven in Iran.
The Dove Quatrefoil
Genuine Persian
The Verdigris Caravan
Genuine Persian
The Clay Bazaar
Genuine Persian
The Juniper Court
Genuine Persian
The Onyx Pasture
Genuine Persian
The Dusk Heirloom
Genuine PersianHow to choose a Kashan rug
Choose it for formal grace
A Kashan brings a room a sense of occasion — it is the rug for a formal living room, a dining room, a study or an entryway you want to feel considered and timeless. The symmetrical medallion gives a space a calm, anchored center.
Mind the palette
The classic deep red-and-ivory Kashan is rich and traditional; if your room is lighter, look for the softer, more muted Kashans. Either way, see the real colors before you commit — request photos in your light, or book a viewing.
Size it to anchor the room
A medallion rug is happiest centered and given room — large enough that your furniture's front legs rest on it, with the medallion clear of the seating. Kashan also weaves striking long runners. See our rug size guide, and because each is one of a kind, tell us your size and we'll hand-pick the closest pieces.
Caring for a Kashan rug
A fine hand-knotted Kashan rewards gentle care: vacuum softly with the pile, rotate twice a year, use a rug pad, and blot spills at once rather than rubbing. Finer pieces especially should be hand-washed, never machine- or steam-cleaned. Our full rug care guide has the details, and we clean, restore and repair hand-knotted rugs by hand in Houston.
Why buy your Kashan from Arteverk
- Genuine Persian. Our Kashans are predominantly woven in Iran — origin stated on every page, so you know it's the real article.
- One of a kind. Each hand-knotted Kashan is a single piece. When it sells, it is gone.
- A real family behind it. The Malik family sources and curates these genuine Persian pieces and restores rugs by hand in Houston.
- See it before you commit. Visit the Houston showroom, or book a live video walkthrough from anywhere.
- Cared for for life. Hand cleaning, restoration and repair in-house.
Common questions about Kashan rugs
What is a Kashan rug?
A Kashan rug is a finely hand-knotted wool rug from the city of Kashan in central Iran — one of the oldest and most revered weaving centers in Persia. It is known for a graceful central medallion set in a dense, curvilinear floral field, in deep jewel tones like madder red, indigo and ivory. It is a formal, classic city rug rather than a bold tribal one.
Are Kashan rugs Persian?
Yes — Kashan is a genuine Persian weaving city, and the Kashan rugs we carry are predominantly hand-knotted in Iran. Each rug's real origin is stated on its page (look for Origin: Iran), so you can be confident you are buying a true Persian Kashan.
What does "Kashan Fine" mean?
"Kashan Fine" denotes a finer, masterpiece-grade Kashan — a higher knot density and more detailed drawing than a standard Kashan. Some are woven in kork wool, a soft, lustrous lamb's wool that gives the rug a gentle sheen and an especially fine hand.
What is the difference between a Kashan and a Heriz rug?
Both are Persian medallion rugs, but they speak different languages. A Kashan is a refined city rug — a curvilinear floral medallion, fine knotting, formal and elegant. A Heriz is a village rug — a bold, angular geometric medallion, sturdier and more rustic. Choose Kashan for classic formality, Heriz for graphic, hard-wearing boldness.
What colors do Kashan rugs come in?
Classic Kashans are rich and jewel-toned — deep madder red, indigo and navy blue, ivory and cream — though softer, more muted Kashans exist too. Because each one is dyed and knotted by hand, the exact shades vary piece to piece.
Can I see a Kashan rug in person in Houston?
Yes. Arteverk is based in Houston, TX. You can see hand-knotted Kashan rugs in person at our showroom or over a live video call, and we clean, restore and repair hand-knotted rugs by hand in Houston.
Find your Kashan
Browse our genuine Persian Kashan rugs, or tell us your size and colors and we'll hand-pick a few one-of-a-kind pieces for you.
