Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished master weavers of the 19th century, Mohtasham of Kashan is synonymous with finesse, artistry, and the revival of classical Persian carpet weaving during the Qajar period.
Working in the historic weaving centre of Kashan - a city long celebrated for its silk and wool textiles - Mohtasham led a renaissance in carpet production at a time when the industry was emerging from centuries of decline.
Mohtasham carpets are instantly recognisable for their extraordinary detail, luminous colouration, and technical excellence. Often woven in soft, Manchester-spun wool with an unusually tight knot count, these pieces exhibit intricate curvilinear patterns and richly layered medallion-and-corner layouts. The weaver’s palette typically includes warm rose pinks, sapphire blues, and ivory tones, rendered with a vibrancy that has stood the test of time.
It is believed that Mohtasham oversaw a private atelier that trained a generation of Kashan weavers, many of whom would go on to perpetuate his standards of quality and design long after his workshop ceased production. His name is now shorthand among collectors and connoisseurs for a particular type of exceptional Kashan weaving - meticulously executed, supremely balanced, and richly evocative of Persia’s golden age of carpet artistry.
