Qom Silk

Origin

Qom silk rugs come from the Iranian city of Qom (also spelled Ghom), about 150 kilometres south of Tehran. The city only developed into a major rug-knotting centre in the 20th century, although it has been known for centuries as an important pilgrimage city of Shia Islam. Rug production in Qom began systematically in the 1930s and concentrated from the outset on high-quality silk rugs. Unlike traditional Qom rugs in wool, the silk variants represent the absolute premium segment of Persian rug art.

Characteristics

Qom silk rugs are distinguished by exceptionally fine patterns and a characteristic silken sheen. Typical are central medallion patterns, often surrounded by floral ornaments and arabesques. The palette spans from classical reds and blues to elegant cream tones and pastels. Particularly prized are pieces with over 1,000,000 knots per square metre, which allow extraordinarily detailed patterning. The rugs usually have a very low pile, which makes the patterns stand out especially crisp. Woven signatures of master knotters and dates by the Persian calendar are also frequently found.

Material and technique

Qom silk rugs are knotted exclusively from pure silk — pile, warp, and weft alike consist of this noble material. Mainly the highest-quality mulberry silk is used, which guarantees a characteristic sheen and special durability. Knotting uses the asymmetrical Persian (Senneh) knot, with experienced knotters managing up to 2,000 knots per hour. The exceptionally high knot density of 400,000 to over 1,000,000 knots per square metre makes these rugs among the finest in the world. The weaving process is extremely time-consuming — a high-quality 2 × 3 metre Qom silk rug can take several years.

Worth knowing

Silk rugs from Qom are considered a store of value and are sometimes called "liquid gold". Thanks to the enormous time investment and the precious materials, they reach top prices on the international market. Many pieces are never used on the floor but presented as wall hangings to protect the precious silk pile. The city of Qom is home to about 4,000 active looms today, of which only a fraction is used for silk production. Especially sought-after are signed pieces by master weavers such as Ghazvinipour or Qadimi, who count as living legends of Persian rug art.