Fine Kashan Mohtashem
214 x 134 cm (7' x 4' 5")
Persia, second half 19th century
Condition: very good, full pile, slight signs of use at the selvages
Warp: cotton, weft: cotton, pile: wool

Prayer or niche design rugs from the Mohtashem workshops are not particularly common, and this fine example also has the rare addition of pairs of birds ascending the field design, the appearance of which is equally unprecedented.
The vase and field designs are perhaps more readily associated with the millefleur design but typically birds are not part of that milieu.
The blooms of blossoms are subtlety grouped by color to graduate the progression of the design, the profusion of light blue in the center of the field in the flowerheads and the birds almost implies the use of a central medallion format.
The density of the field design is counter balanced by the white ground, which in turn is contrasted by the dark blue border, highlighting an elegant and accomplished overall composition.