What is a Qum Rug?
Persian rugs are most famous for their creativity and firm structure. While most oriental carpets are antiques, the Qum rugs are only about a century old. These rugs’ design maintain a massive influence from the customer’s demand in the western markets. Whether it’s for your house or private collection, the Qum are one of the best Persian rugs for sale on the market.
History behind the Persian Qum
Qum rugs are known by several monikers; sometimes they are referred to as Qom rugs, other times Ghom rugs or Ghum rugs. Qum, the namesake for the Qum rug, is considered to be a holy city that is located 100 km south of Tehran in the center of Iran. Rugs that have been woven in the past hundred years compete with those of the best quality rugs on the market today. Even though they are not traditionally a center of crafting, the Qom province is said to produce some of the finest Oriental rugs that are available today. These rugs tend to be rich in quality, sturdiness, and own an indescribable attraction to them. A fun fact about a Qum is they were not produced until the early 1900s – on the contrary, most of the rugs in existence today have a production year prior to 1940. Although a Qum rug is not as old as the other types of Persian drapery, their quality is considered to be outstanding when it comes to its materials and construction.
Weaving Technique
The creation of these rugs is one of its distinct characteristics. Because of the thin threads of silk used, the weavers easily manifest small fine details. The knots per square inch (KPSI) on a Qum rug ranged between 200-500. The higher the number, the higher quality of rug. The Qum’s fine weaving technique cause the designs to look intricate and thoroughly detailed.
Materials and Colors
The material composition of a Qum rug is of the utmost quality. They are generally made up of silk and refined wool; in fact, some of the rugs contain two layers of silk. A Qum possesses its own signature style. Qum rugs are normally woven with jewel-toned colors such red, blue, and ivory; however, unlike these shades, the designs vary to give the rug a distinct style.
Designs and Patterns
Qum Persian rugs are petite in size and utilize their fine composition’s knotting to make them some of the most decorative Oriental rugs on the market. A Qum rug features curvilinear and floral motifs as well as pictorial scenes with dynamic vine patterns. Designs such as landscapes, depictions of historical events, medallions, and vine work can be found across the style of Qum. People prefer hanging their Qum rug on their walls rather than putting them on the floors—this doubles a Qum as both a rug and a tapestry.
Available Sizes
Qum rugs are commonly made in smaller sizes due to the amount of time these rugs require to be made along with the availability of the materials needed. On a rare occasion, Qum rugs can sometimes be found in larger sizes. Small sizes range around 7x10 feet while larger pieces start from 10x15 feet and sometimes more.