Kashan is a city in north-central Iran with a rug-weaving heritage dating to the Safavid period (16th–17th centuries), when the city produced carpets for the Persian court. After a long dormant period, Kashan rug production was revived in the late 19th century and remains active today.
Classic Kashan rugs are characterized by:
- A central medallion with floral pendants, set in a richly patterned field
- Floral and arabesque field designs in the curvilinear Persian style
- A color palette traditionally led by deep red and dark navy, with ivory borders — though modern Kashan production includes a wider range
- Fine knot density (typically 200–400 KPSI in standard grades, higher in fine examples)
- A cotton foundation, soft wool pile, and the asymmetric Persian knot
The wool used in Kashan rugs is generally of high quality, contributing to the rugs' soft hand and good aging characteristics. Silk Kashan rugs are also produced in smaller quantities and command premium prices.
In the U.S. trade, Kashan is regarded as one of the "fine" Persian rug categories alongside Isfahan, Nain, Qum, and Tabriz workshop production.