Magic carpets may be a creation of Middle Eastern folk tales like One Thousand and One Nights and Aladdin, but the mythical, treasure-filled caves in which they were discovered weren’t far off from the opulent palaces of the First Persian Empire.
More than two millennia ago, these royal residences were lined with decorative carpets, and today, Persian rugs continue to carry an unmatched sense of artistry and heritage. A select few Iranian families with centuries of experience act as stewards of the craft, finishing each intricate piece with a woven signature in the same way an artist signs a canvas. At Persian Galleries, a family-run showroom and rug restoration shop on Naples’ Fifth Avenue South, co-owner Max Kashani cultivates exclusive relationships with some of the industry’s most prestigious artisans and designers. “These families have worked together making rugs for generations,” he says. “The signature is a high recognition [of craftsmanship].”
Raised in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, a former capital of the Persian Empire that sits at the center of the Silk Road, Max and his brother began studying Persian carpet-making in their teens. The brothers honed their understanding of color, pattern, shape and size by observing master weavers dye silks, compose designs and determine loom size. In the 1970s, the young men launched a wholesale carpet business, operating out of Zurich, then moved operations to Atlanta, and finally opened Persian Galleries in Naples 15 years ago.
Photography by Christina Bankson
Photography by Christina Bankson
Photography by Christina Bankson
Photography by Christina Bankson
Max sources custom-made rugs from his native Iran, as well as Turkey, India, Afghanistan, Morocco, Tibet and Pakistan. Acting as a curator for clients, he may also track down antique rugs dating back to the 1850s. “Some of our antique pieces are especially rare,” Max says. “[We had] a 140-year-old Serapi rug in the royal palace sizing. The unusually large size is hard to come by and the rug was a stunning representation of the Serapi style, known for its timeless beauty and practical design.” Rugs from different regions can be differentiated in terms of tradition and storytelling, but all of the shop’s pieces are handmade in their country of origin, using traditional methods and either silk or a blend with lamb’s wool.
Pure, 100% silk floor coverings from renowned carpet-making locales in Iran, like Qom, Tabriz and Max’s hometown, Isfahan, are synonymous with superior quality. Silk designs take the longest to craft since the fine fibers require the highest density of knotting, which allows for exceptionally detailed patterns and a crisp look. An all-silk, 8-by-8-foot carpet may take five to eight years to complete and fetches anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000, depending on the shape and complexity of the design. Among the most time-consuming is a dome design, which is often crafted from silk due to the style’s intricate geometry. “The difficulty lies in the way the design expands outward, often in a circular pattern, symbolizing the universe’s continuous expansion,” Max explains. “The center of the dome is typically a point of origin with everything radiating outward.”
At Persian Galleries, tapestry-style pieces depicting scenes from an ancient souk are displayed in gilded frames. Red velvet couches are strategically placed throughout the room—a setup reminiscent of the Louvre, the rugs serving as large-scale artwork intended to be admired. “The style is changing all the time,” Max says, adding that many clients seek out rugs to display as art. “There are a lot of trendy styles that come to market for a few years and then fall out of fashion.”
Modern patterns are currently the most popular styles in the Naples showroom. These styles may eschew patterns and ornamentation altogether or replace historic patterns with abstract elements and a focus on color. Transitional pieces integrate vibrant hues like lavender, pink and terracotta into conventional floral, geometric and medallion designs. Among the most popular are Turkish Oushak rugs with medallion designs inspired by Ottoman manuscripts. “Whether they are new or antique, a fine rug is still a fine rug,” Max says. “They’re as popular as they’ve ever been.”
Photography by Christina Bankson
naples persian galleries handmade rugs
Max cultivates exclusive relationships with top artisans, including in his native Iran, where a few families act as stewards of the craft. The process is labor-intensive, with rugs taking years to weave.