Raqs-e-Shirin | رَقصِ شیرین

Kashan, Central Persia, mid 20th century
All wool on cotton foundation

Woven in Kashan in the mid twentieth century, Raqs-e-Shirin captures the timeless Persian legend of Shirin and Khusrau—a tale of love, beauty, and devotion immortalized in poetry and art. The scene unfolds beneath flowering trees, where Shirin dances before her beloved, her movement rendered with lyrical precision and painterly grace.

The composition draws from the classical Persian miniature tradition, each figure alive with expressive detail and emotion. Surrounded by a floral border abundant with roses and curling vines, this pictorial Kashan transforms narrative into tapestry, its vibrant palette and fine wool pile reflecting the mastery of Kashan’s weaving ateliers. A romantic vision of art and storytelling, woven into enduring form.