Origin and Weaving Tradition

Qum (also Qom, Ghom) is one of the younger Persian weaving centres: its workshops emerged in the 20th century and became known for silk knotting. This piece was hand-knotted there in the 1950s–60s.

It has spent almost its entire life as a wall hanging, a use Qum silks have been put to since the early 20th century. It shows no wear: the colours are unfaded and the delicate silk kilim finish at the lower end is intact.

Silk on Silk

Warp and weft of this piece are silk rather than the more common cotton, a construction that allows a higher knot density. It is silk pile on silk warp and weft, hand-knotted at an estimated 640,000 knots per m² (approx. 413 kpsi). At this density, small flower fills, leaf veins and curling tendrils are drawn within the medallion. The pile is approximately 5 mm, low and tightly clipped in the Qum manner.

Colour and Composition

The composition is the classical Qum: a stepped star medallion with a floral rosette at its heart, set on an ivory-cream field densely worked with curling vines, small palmettes and floral fills. Sky-blue / turquoise-green corner spandrels frame the field. The main border runs in olive-gold and camel with floral palmettes and connecting vines, flanked by light-blue / turquoise guard borders. The palette: ivory and cream, sky blue and turquoise-green, olive-gold and camel, with coral-rose and navy accents. As with all silk, the surface shifts with the light, sometimes warm and saturated, sometimes cool and shimmering.

Condition

Excellent, as new. The rug was kept as a wall hanging: no wear, colours unfaded and silk kilim ends intact.

Presence in the Room

At 108 × 178 cm (1.9 m²) this is a small format best seen up close. Three settings in which it works well:

• Wall hanging: the fine drawing and the sheen of the silk suit display on a wall, the use to which this piece has been put.
• Bedroom or library: beside the bed or under a reading chair; silk shows to advantage in quiet rooms.
• Entrance or hallway: a small, finely drawn piece for an entry.

Specifications

1stDibs Recognized Dealer

Djoharian has been a 1stDibs Recognized Dealer since 2013.

Djoharian — Since 1967

Our family business was founded in 1967, with roots in the Grand Carpet Bazaar of Tehran. Djoharian is also a Label STEP certified dealer (applies to new production).

Service and Delivery

Every piece is inspected and professionally washed in our atelier in Lohr am Main. Insured worldwide shipping; personal consultation in our showroom or by video call. For later care, see our rug cleaning and restoration service. We also make bespoke rugs in your own size and colours.