DYES.--Usually good. Occasionally an aniline dyed one.
DESIGNS.--More of the Persian character than the Karabaghs, resembling somewhat the rugs of Kurdistan. The field is usually covered with small floral forms, which are thrown broadcast.
PRICES.--From $2.00 to $3.00 per square foot.
SIZES.--From three to four by five to seven feet. Runners two and one-half by eight to fifteen.
REMARKS.--Seldom seen in the American market. They have kept pretty well up to their original standard. In many respects they are similar to the Karabagh, to which they are somewhat superior.
WHY SO NAMED.--After Kashan, a city of 30,000 inhabitants between Teheran and Ispahan, where they are made. Kashan is the centre of the silk rug industry in Persia and it was here that the famous Ardebil carpet was woven.
KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically twelve to thirty-five; number horizontally ten to twenty; number to square inch one hundred fifty to five hundred.
WEAVE.--As a rule very evenly and tightly woven.
SIDES.--Overcast with wool, sometimes with silk.
ENDS.--Short web with loose warp threads at each end.
BORDER.--From three to seven border stripes.
PREVAILING COLORS.--Dark blues, reds, and greens; rose, turquoise, deep wine color, and ivory.
DESIGNS.--Similar to those of the Saruk. Exclusively floral with many connecting vines; medallions; no plain fields.
[Illustration: KASHAN SILK RUG FROM THE COLLECTION OF MR. A. U. DILLEY]
PRICES.--From $2.00 to $10.00 a square foot.
REMARKS.--Among the antique Kashans are a number of old "Hunting Carpets" with elaborate detail work showing in their design forests with hunters and dogs pursuing animals of the chase.
The Kashan silk rugs are as a class the best silk rugs made and this particular one illustrates the best Persian spirit in design and workmanship. Although not as finely woven as some, it has four hundred and eighty-four knots to the square inch and it is made exclusively of the best Persian silk.
WHY SO NAMED.--After Souj Bulak, the old Kurdish capital some distance south of Tabriz, where they are made by the Kurds.
KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically six to eight; number horizontally eight to eleven; number to square inch forty-eight to eighty-eight.
WARP.--Double yarn of wool. Sometimes half cotton and half wool.