This exceptional Qum rug from Iran is a refined example of the city’s celebrated silk weaving tradition. Hand-knotted entirely in silk on a silk foundation, it reflects the extraordinary technical precision and artistic discipline for which Qum workshops are internationally renowned. With an impressive knot density of approximately 100–150 knots per square centimetre, this piece demonstrates a remarkably fine weave, allowing for exceptional clarity of design and a beautifully defined drawing throughout. The use of silk for both pile and warp enables intricate detailing while producing a luminous surface that subtly shifts in tone as the light moves across it.
The design is centred on an elaborate medallion composition, framed within a softly rounded cartouche that radiates outward in layers of intricate floral ornamentation. The field, rendered in warm shades of golden ivory and soft amber, is densely populated with delicate scrolling vines, palmettes, and finely articulated blossoms. A dramatic central rosette anchors the composition, its geometry balanced by symmetrical pendants and finely drawn corner spandrels. The precision afforded by the 100–150 KPSI-equivalent knot density ensures that even the smallest floral elements retain crisp definition and symmetry.
The border system is richly layered, incorporating repeating floral motifs and stylised arabesques, all executed with microscopic precision. Accents of rust, ivory, charcoal, and muted jade create depth and contrast, while the silk’s natural sheen enhances every tonal variation, lending the rug a refined brilliance characteristic of high-grade Qum silk production.
Qum, located south of Tehran, emerged as a major weaving centre in the 20th century, specialising in silk rugs of exceptional fineness. Unlike older tribal weaving regions, Qum workshops developed an atelier-style production model focused on master weavers and highly detailed court-inspired designs. Silk-on-silk construction, combined with a high knot count such as 100–150 knots per square centimetre, places this rug firmly within the upper tier of Persian craftsmanship, prized for both its structural integrity and artistic precision.
The fine weave and silk foundation give the rug a supple yet resilient structure, best suited to refined residential settings where its surface can be appreciated rather than heavily trafficked areas. It performs beautifully in formal living rooms, reception spaces, private studies, or as a statement piece beneath a central seating arrangement. The reflective quality of silk enhances both classical and contemporary interiors, introducing warmth, depth, and understated opulence.
A silk Qum rug of this calibre is both a decorative centrepiece and a collectable textile work of art. Its high knot density, balanced composition, and luminous finish embody the highest standards of modern Persian weaving while remaining rooted in centuries of ornamental tradition.