Silk Kashan Carpet

Art Historical Context

This Silk Kashan Carpet presents a richly patterned surface dominated by a large, lobed central medallion in deep reds, golds, and teal, set against a dark green-blue field. Delicate floral and scrolling vine motifs fill the surrounding areas, while multiple borders frame the design with repeating blossoms and arabesques in cream, blue, and burgundy tones. The fine, densely worked surface reveals the texture of its knotted pile. Created in the 16th century by an unknown artist, the carpet is woven entirely of silk—warp, weft, and asymmetrically knotted pile—demonstrating the exceptional skill of Persian textile traditions. Its luminous colors and intricate geometry reflect the refined courtly tastes of the period. Today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Islamic Art collection, the piece entered the museum through the 1913 bequest of Benjamin Altman, where it continues to invite close looking at the harmony of pattern and material.