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Qum Rugs

Guide to Persian Qum / Ghom Rugs & Carpets

History / Background
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a theocracy, meaning that the religious leader oversees the government. So while Tehran is the center of the Government the Holy city of Qum is the center of the Shia Theocracy. As the city gains in importance the quality of carpets improves as well. We can speculate about the cause and effect but the best of Qum rugs rivals the best of anywhere in Iran.

Large Persian city 90 miles south of Isfahan. Qum has become a major rug producing area in the second half of the 20th century. Major production center for silk rugs. The Zil-i-Sultani pattern is very common as are designs derivative of Bahktiarri garden carpets and Isfahan carpets.

Important designers included Rashtehzadeh, Arsalani, and Ahmad Archang

Ghom is young as far as weaving centers go. Large scale commercial weaving only dates back to 1930s. As a weaving center it is not as technically sophisticated at Nain or Isfahan. Qum rugs and carpets can be beautiful but lack the sophistication of Kashan. The biggest difference at the top end of the Persian market is that Ghom lacks the large market for the best designers so the top layer is relatively thin. With the exception of a handful such as Rashtehzadeh Ghom borders will not be as well articulated, cartoons will be used for several different size rugs so that there are imperfections in scale. I do not want to seem harsh, most Ghom rugs are not nearly at the level of a Seirafian Isfahan or Habibian Nain, but then again neither are most Isfahan or Nain rugs.

Rug Structure
Persian Knot, Depressed Warps

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the left. Knot counts can range from 120 to 900 or 1000

Color: While Ghom rugs use a wide range of colors they tend to be brighter and more colorful than Isfahan or Nain rugs and not quite as rich as a Kashan.

Examples

Antiques Row Quality silk Ghom rug

close up

Quality silk Qum/Ghom rug, approximately 8’2” x 4’4”

Fine silk Qum carpet of Garden design
Qum Rugs: fine silk Qum carpet of Garden design
The field with overall square lattice containing ivory and indigo stylized floral prayer arches, in an indigo border of polychrome rosettes, stylized palmettes and floral motifs between olive-green floral meander stripes, outer reciprocal skittle-pattern, barber-pole and plain stripes, very good condition –305cm. x 185cm.(10ft. x 6ft.1in.)

Ghom rug 20th c. silk from Pakzad
Qum Rugs: Ghom rug 20th c. silk from Pakzad
ORIGIN

Ghom (Seide), Iran

Ghom rug mid 20th c.

qum rug
MEASUREMENTS
212 by 138cm., 7ft. by 4ft. 6in

Ghom rug mid 20th c.
Qum Rugs: Ghom rug mid 20th c.

A Ghom rug, Central Persia, mid-20th century

MEASUREMENTS
133cm., 6ft. 10in. by 4ft. 4in.

Ghom rug mid 20th c.

A pair of part-silk Ghom rugs, Central Persia, mid-20th century

MEASUREMENTS
220 by 145cm. and 207 by 139cm., 7ft. 3in. by 4ft. 9in. and 6ft. 10in. by 4ft. 7in.

Mirmehdi of Qum Animal

Mirmehdi
Material /100% Silk
Size /198×128

Qum prayer rug C. 1930-50
Qum Rugs: Qum prayer rug C. 1930-50

Qum prayer rug,

central Persia about 1930-50

6ft.8in.x 4ft.5in. 2. 03m. x 1.35m.
An unusually fine and attractive rug.

Qum rug C. 1950

Qum rug

Central Persia about 1950

7ft.4in. x 5ft.1in. 2.24m. x 1.55m.

Qum Rug Circa 1950

close up
Size: 3 foot 4 inch by 4 foot 11 inch.
This is a wonderful older Qum rug from one of the East Coasts most prominent shop. The color is wonderful and the rug is very pretty. This rug has reached the point where the wool and color have gained the patina of age and the rug has entered it’s most attractive phase which it should maintain for many years.
This is piece dates to Circa 1950. All the dyes look good. It is a handmade pile weaving from Iran. It is handmade and in very good condition.
Size: 3 foot 4 inch by 4 foot 11 inch.Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the left. 9 knots per horizontal inch and 16 knots per vertical inch. 144 per square inch (2232 per square decimeter).
Color: Rose, ivory, navy blue, royal blue, umber, olive green, silver, Caribbean blue, lemon, copper, salmon, onyx.
Yarn Spin: Z.
Warp: White cotton.
Weft: 1 shot white cotton.
Pile: 2 wool singles.
Ends: Countered binding with 1 inch warp fringe.
Selvages: 2 cord interlaced rose wool.
Handle: Light-medium, durable, soft wool.
Further Notes: Very good condition, very minor wear to selvage, very minor wear to pile.

Qum rug part silk prayer rug, C. 1930-40

Qum part silk prayer rug

Central Persia about 1930-40

7ft.7in. x 4ft.8in. 2.31m. x 1.42m.

Qum rug with silk highlights C. 1930-40
Qum Rugs: Qum rug with silk highlights C. 1930-40

Qum rug with silk highlights,

central Persia about 1930-40

6ft.4in. x 4ft.5in. 1.93m. x 1.35m.

Silk and metal-thread Ghom/Qum Rug
Qum Rugs: silk and metal-thread Ghom/Qum Rug

A silk and metal-thread Ghom/Qum rug of Heriz design, Central Persia, mid-20th century

198 by 135cm., 6ft. 6in by 4ft. 5in.

Silk Ghom/Qum rug mid 20th c.

A silk and metal-thread Ghom/Qum rug of Heriz design, Central Persia, mid-20th century

120cm., 5ft. 9in. by 3ft. 11in.

Silk Rashti Zadeh Koum/Kum Rug
Qum Rugs: Silk Rashti Zadeh Koum/Kum Rug

Origin: Iran – City of KoumType:Pure Silk Kum rug, silk pile, warp and weft.
Size:2,33m X 1,51m
Description:Open cerise fielded rug, rectilinear anchor medallion ivory fielded, supporting well and finely detailed Herati pattern. Balance of field and surrounding guard border of old gold, the field supporting continuation of Herati design.
Major border dark blue parading palmettes ornamented with buds, leaves and flowers. The overall colour harmony is delightfully balanced. A product of the master weaver Rashti Zadeh.