Our Story

Sixty years. Three generations. One family of rug people.

A letter from the family

Dear Guest,

Thank you for visiting KESHMIRI.CA (formerly known as House of Persian Rugs).

Exactly half a century has passed since my grandfather, Ali Asghar Keshmiri, began his endeavour as a curator of Persian arts to offer Canadians the very best hand-knotted rugs in the world.  He established his first shop in 1968 at the Grain Exchange building in Calgary, AB. Under his leadership, House of Persian Rugs grew to be the largest purveyor of authentic hand-knotted Persian rugs Canada-wide.

To celebrate the 50-year milestone and pay homage to the hard-earned legacy that Ali left behind, we have unveiled a new collection under the brand: KESHMIRI.

The KESHMIRI collection is dedicated to authentic Persian rugs and will be offered exclusively online. This curated collection consists of rare and collectible masterpieces produced by the finest workshops in Persia. Each work is one-of-a-kind and is a reflection of original culture. They tell stories of powerful kings, invading armies, peace, passion, prosperity, and love. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need any assistance. 

 

Abbas Keshmiri

Managing Director & Curator

The family record, 1966 to today

1966, The Founder1968, Dawn of a New Era1976, Flagship Store1985, Nation-wide Exhibitions1996, Second Generation Keshmiri2026, Sixty Years, Three Generations

1966 The Founder

  1. Ali A. Keshmiri immigrates to Canada with his wife and three children. As newcomers they decide to relocate to western Canada in search of better work opportunities and a brighter future.

  2. Ali Keshmiri opens his first shop at the Grain Exchange Building in Calgary, Alberta.

  3. House of Persian Rugs is incorporated under Keshmiri Holdings Company Ltd. The shop is relocated and expanded into the downtown core of Calgary, Alberta.

  4. House of Persian Rugs begins annual nation-wide tours and exhibitions from coast to coast. Though these annual exhibitions were long and challenging, the company experiences years of accelerated growth and earns the business of rug connoisseurs throughout Canada.

  5. Dr. Abbas Keshmiri, Ali's son, decides to join the company after practising for more than 20 years as a pharmacist. Abbas carries the legacy forward as his father reaches the age of retirement.

  6. Abbas Keshmiri expands the scope of the offering by commissioning mills in Nepal and India to produce their very first contemporary and modern collection. A new House of Persian Rugs logo and branding is unveiled, which lends itself to the new direction the company is taking.

  7. On the 50th anniversary, House of Persian Rugs is rebranded as KESHMIRI to pay homage to its visionary founder, Ali Asghar Keshmiri. The KESHMIRI Collection is dedicated to curating and offering the very best classic Persian rugs the world has to offer.

  8. Sixty years after Ali Asghar Keshmiri arrived in Canada, the Keshmiri family carries his craft forward: the legacy of the Persian rug, and its mystery. The KESHMIRI Collection now turns to rare antique pieces and niche works of textile art, each knotted by hand and each carrying its own story. Alongside the collection, KESHMIRI shares what three generations have learned about this handcraft, so its stories can be understood, cared for and passed on to the generations still to come.

Questions about a rug? Ask the family.

More photographs, exact measurements, the story of a piece. Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 Pacific.

WhatsApp +1 604 770 1703

or browse the collection