Antique Keshan Silk Rug

Period: Early 20th Century
Origin: Keshan, Iran
Dimensions: 138 x 220 cm

This rare early 20th century Persian Keshan silk rug highlights a powerful and rhythmic floral composition featuring a centralized, lobed medallion anchored within a densely patterned field of scrolling vines and palmettes. This structural balance between the vibrant magenta toned medallion and the surrounding cream silk field reflects the pinnacle of the urban workshop tradition in Keshan, a city world renowned for its mastery of curvilinear design. Silk rugs of this caliber are highly sought after by collectors for their extraordinary technical precision and their status as some of the most luxurious textiles produced in Northwest Persia.

The color palette is masterfully balanced featuring a primary ivory ground that serves as a dramatic canvas for high contrast shifts of rich magenta, royal blue, and golden ochre. These rich and enduring tones achieved through the use of premium silk fibers over a century ago exhibit a subtle luminous sheen and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest early 20th century workshop productions. The inclusion of a wide blue ground primary border decorated with a rhythmic sequence of reciprocating floral rosettes and intricate vine work creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior silk quality.

Structural analysis indicates the use of 100 percent natural silk with a characteristically high knot density and a supple, paper thin handle. The exceptional clarity of the curvilinear outlines, specifically the minute floral blossoms within the spandrels and the precisely rendered symmetry of the central medallion, definitively distinguishes this antique masterpiece as an authentic early 20th century Keshan silk. Ultimately, this rug represents a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global museum level collectors.

Stock No: 2765

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