Joshegan (also spelled Joshaghan) is a town in central Iran, located in Isfahan Province between Kashan and Isfahan. The town has been a continuous rug-weaving center for several centuries and is best known for producing rugs in a single, immediately recognizable design pattern — the Joshegan design.
The classic Joshegan design features:
- An all-over diamond lattice filling the entire field
- Stylized geometric flowers arranged in clusters of three or four within each diamond cell
- Cluster motifs that suggest a formal Persian garden with geometric flower beds
- No central medallion in the most traditional form (medallion variants exist but are less characteristic)
- Distinctive color palette of deep red field with ivory, indigo, and gold-yellow accents
Construction characteristics:
- Cotton foundation, wool pile
- Asymmetric (Persian) knot
- Moderate to fine knot density (typically 120–250 KPSI)
- Symmetric, organized weave reflecting the town's stable workshop tradition
The Joshegan pattern is so distinctive that it functions almost like a trademark — when you see this specific diamond-lattice-with-clustered-flowers design, the rug is either an authentic Joshegan or a copy of the Joshegan design from another region.
Related towns producing similar designs include Meymeh (a nearby village that weaves Joshegan-style rugs) and Golpayegan (located between Isfahan and Arak, producing related but distinct patterns).
In the antique market, classical Joshegan rugs from the 19th century are particularly prized for their crisp pattern execution and rich color depth. Modern Joshegan production continues today but the pattern has also been widely adapted and adopted by other Persian weaving centers.