Shamail | شَمائل

Kashan, Central Persia, circa 1970s, pre war period
Wool pile on cotton foundation

Woven in Kashan during the final decades before the Iran-Iraq war, Shamail reflects the enduring refinement of one of Persia’s most distinguished weaving centers. The design is composed around a grand central medallion encircled by scrolling vines and flowering palmettes, contained within mirrored arches that evoke both architectural harmony and the ordered beauty of nature.

The palette of deep carnelian red, ivory, and indigo blue is characteristic of Kashan’s classical tradition, while the fine kurk wool lends the surface a gentle sheen and supple texture. The precision of its drawing and the poise of its symmetry speak to a period when Kashan weavers continued to uphold the standards of their Safavid heritage even as modernity approached.

Shamail stands as a testament to the grace and continuity of Persian craftsmanship on the eve of transformation, a woven portrait of balance, serenity, and enduring beauty.