second half 16th century
Town probably Kashan,
Iran
Iran
Object qualities
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Object
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumSilk (warp, weft, and pile), metal wrapped thread; asymmetrically knotted pile
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SizeMount Dimensions: L. 105 1/2 in. (268 cm) W. 76 1/2 in. (194.3 cm) Weight in mount: 555 lbs (251.7 kg)
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Geography detailsMade in
Town probably Kashan,
Iran -
Country today
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Datesecond half 16th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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This carpet, possibly woven in the silk trade and carpet manufacturing center of Kashan, has a dark blue quatrefoil medallion at its center. Decorative elements on this and other related carpets from Kashan and Tabriz indicate that weavers may have used pattern books containing popular motifs to guide them in production. These designs are also present in other media, particularly in the arts of the book. The use of metal-wrapped thread in a silk Kashani carpet of this size is unusual, but the high knot count of about 600 knots per inch may have made this expensive material worth its cost given the fine quality of the work.