FAQs

Hand-knotted Kashan rugs in 8×10 often retail around \$3,000–\$10,000; exceptional antiques can exceed \$20,000. Smaller scatter sizes may start near \$1,000–\$4,000.

Yes—pieces already in the U.S. can be bought and sold, but importing new Iranian-origin Kashan rugs has faced U.S. restrictions since 2018. For specifics, consult current OFAC guidance.

It refers to imported merino wool from Manchester (U.K.) used in some late-19th/early-20th-century Kashan rugs. The pile appears velvety and luminous compared with ordinary wool.

Mohtasham Kashan rugs are rare 19th-century workshop pieces using ultra-fine “Manchester” merino wool and very high knot counts. They’re highly collectible and often command five-figure prices.

Kashan rugs usually have cotton foundations and richer red/navy palettes; Isfahan/Nain often use silk foundations and lighter ivory/blue tones with higher KPSI. Borders and drawing tend to be softer in Kashan.

Flip it: you should see individual knots and slight irregularity on a Kashan rug’s back, and fringe that’s part of the foundation—not sewn on. Perfect grid backs signal machine-made.

Authentic Kashan rugs are hand-knotted with asymmetrical (Persian) knots, typically around 120–300 KPSI; elite antiques can exceed 300 KPSI. Machine-made “Kashan design” pieces exist but aren’t true Kashan rugs.

Most Kashan rugs use high-quality wool pile on cotton warp and weft; silk pile or silk highlights appear on finer examples. Wool offers durability and natural stain resistance.

Kashan rugs most often blend deep reds, navy blues, and ivory, with accents of gold or light blue. Natural-dye older pieces may show subtle abrash (tone shifts).

Classic Kashan rugs feature a round or diamond medallion, corner spandrels, and Shah Abbas palmettes with scrolling vines. Red fields with navy borders are common.

Kashan rugs are Persian hand-knotted carpets from Kashan (central Iran), famed for curvilinear florals and a central medallion. Most use wool pile on cotton foundations and date from the late-19th century onward.