Silk Kashan Carpet

16th century

Not on view

This carpet is one of a small group of luxurious weavings notable for their extremely high knot density and entirely silk construction. While their appearance and feel is akin to velvet, the pattern is created by row upon row of minute, hand-tied knots of fine silk thread. Only about twenty carpets of this type are known to survive, four of which are in the Museum's collection. They are referred to as silk Kashan carpets, after a city in Iran where silk carpets are said to have been produced as early as the sixteenth century. The designs of these carpets, however, have been likened to works produced in the contemporary Safavid capital of Tabriz, suggesting a connection between Kashan and the royal design workshops of Tabriz.

Artwork Details

Title: Silk Kashan Carpet
Date: 16th century
Geography: Made in Iran, probably Kashan
Medium: Silk (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
Dimensions: Rug: H. 98 1/16 in. (249 cm)
W. 67 5/16 in. (171 cm)
Mount: H. 106 1/2 in. (270.5 cm)
W. 75 1/4 in. (191.1 cm)
D. 3 in. (7.6 cm)
Object not yet weighed. Test lifted, Estimated weight 200lbs.
Classification: Textiles-Rugs
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Douglas M. Moffat, 1958
Object Number: 58.46
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Silk Kashan Carpet, Silk (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — Silk Kashan Carpet
16th century

The Emperor's Carpet, Silk (warp and weft), wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — The Emperor's Carpet
second half 16th century

'Lotto' Carpet, Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile — 'Lotto' Carpet
16th century

The Anhalt Medallion Carpet, Cotton (warp), silk (weft), wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — The Anhalt Medallion Carpet
probably first half 16th century

Carpet, Silk (warp and weft), wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — Carpet
16th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.