Qom Silk Rug Guide — Origin, History, and the Secret of its Luster

When I visited Qom last month, I spoke about silk with the master of a workshop who I have been working with for twenty years. He slowly said, "Recently, young people are raising the silkworms, so the quality of the cocoons is changing."

Qom is still a relatively young area as a production center for Persian rugs. Nevertheless, the reason why rug enthusiasts from all over the world started mentioning Qom's name lies in the yarn itself.

How Qom Became Known as a "Silk Production Center"

Qom is a religious city located in central Persia, and as an important holy site for Shi'ism, people have gathered there since ancient times. Its history as a rug production center is surprisingly recent, with serious weaving beginning between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Originally, craftsmen who were active in Tabriz and Isfahan moved to Qom and chose silk as their material. This was the starting point for Qom rugs. Silk is difficult to handle and requires higher skill than wool. By embracing this difficulty, Qom's workshops eventually achieved the status of being the first choice for "the finest silk."

Unlike other production areas with ancient traditions, Qom leveraged the strengths of being "new." The patterns of Tabriz, the colors of Isfahan, the elegant pale colors of Nain. They learned the best aspects of each production area and reconfigured them with silk. This supported the rapid development of Qom rugs in the latter half of the 20th century.

The True Nature of Silk Yarn's Radiance

The reason why silk looks different from other fibers lies in the structure of the yarn itself. The cross-section of silk yarn taken from a silkworm cocoon is not circular, but closer to a triangle. Because it reflects light like a prism, it creates a unique luster that changes its expression depending on the viewing angle.

The fineness of the yarn is also important. Silk is thin yet strong. This allows for intricate patterns that cannot be expressed with wool. Densities exceeding 1 million knots per square meter can only be achieved with silk.

And then there's the twist. In Qom workshops, several strands of yarn taken from cocoons are twisted together. The strength of this twist determines the balance between the rug's sheen and durability. A weaker twist makes it softer and more lustrous, while a stronger twist makes it more durable. Each workshop has its preferred twist, which contributes to the individuality of the work.

Although synthetic dyes are used today for dyeing, workshops that uphold tradition still use natural dyes. Indigo, pomegranate peel, turmeric, madder, walnut husks. Natural colors lack the uniformity of chemical dyes, but the subtle color variations in each strand of yarn add depth to the finished weave.

Silk is made of the same amino acid proteins as human skin, so it has long been used for underwear and bedding for people with sensitive skin. The cool, smooth feel when touched with fingertips cannot be replicated by any fiber other than silk.

Characteristics of Qom Silk Rugs

The main characteristic of Qom silk rugs is their high density. A good quality Qom rug typically has 1 million to 1.4 million knots per square meter. The area that can be woven in a day is only a few square centimeters. It is not uncommon for a single rug to take several years to complete.

The range of patterns is also wide. Unlike the pale colors of Nain, Qom is rich in color, with many design options such as medallion patterns (a composition with a crest in the center), tree of life, garden patterns (panel patterns divided into grids), hunting scenes, and vase patterns. Recently, some workshops also weave modern abstract compositions, but the traditional compositions often have a high degree of perfection.

Another pleasure of Qom rugs is that their appearance becomes more mellow with use. This phenomenon is called aging, where the colors of natural dyes gradually soften as they are exposed to air and light. The brilliance of a new rug and the subdued texture after ten years are different things. The same rug ages with the family. I believe this is the essence of rugs called "heirlooms."

Workshops and Artists Who Are Specifically Requested

There are hundreds of workshops, large and small, in Qom. Among them, only a limited number of workshops are repeatedly mentioned by customers.

The Jamshidi family is one of the names synonymous with Qom rugs. However, it is important to note that there are multiple branches with the surname "Jamshidi." There is the original Mohammad family, who preserve natural dyeing, his son Masoud's workshop, his nephew Abbas, and the Jafari family of a different lineage. While bearing the same surname, their dyeing methods and color palettes differ. When discussing Qom rugs, it is essential to determine which lineage it belongs to, rather than lumping them all together as "Jamshidi."

The Mirmehdi Workshop is known for its highest quality works, woven by two people over 18 months. The signatures on both ends are a mark of the workshop's prestige. This workshop specializes in classical compositions such as Mihrab (prayer niche motif), Goldani (vase motif), Tree of Life, and Eight Paradises.

The Albal Workshop uses vivid colors. The finest masterpieces of dome patterns come from this workshop. The Eshaghi Workshop features intricate floral patterns using dozens of colors, and the Sedighiyan Workshop is characterized by a deep green not seen elsewhere.

The individuality of each workshop can only be understood by comparing hundreds of pieces on site. At Golestan, we select pieces based on the style of each workshop and introduce them according to the customer's preferences and the atmosphere of their room.

Guidelines for Choosing Your First Rug

When choosing your first Qom silk rug, we recommend narrowing down its intended use.

For an entryway mat or a small wall hanging, starting with a small size of about 60x90cm is just right. The price range is also relatively accessible, and you can experience the brilliance of silk every day. If you plan to place it in the center of your living room, a size around 150x200cm is a good guide, considering the width of your sofa and the flow of traffic in the room.

It is also important not to be too swayed by density numbers. While 1.3 million or 1.4 million knots are impressive feats, many 1 million-knot rugs surpass them in the depth of their dyeing and the elegance of their composition. Rather, choosing a rug that personally resonates with you, saying "this color, this composition," will lead to a rug that you can cherish for a long time.

If you have the opportunity, it is best to see the actual rug. While photos and videos can convey texture, the luster of silk changes with the angle of light, so the impression of seeing the real thing often differs from a photo. We frequently hear customers say, "It was more beautiful in person than in the picture." This is somewhat the destiny of silk rugs.