Persian Rug Qom 120 x 78 cm Silk Hand-knotted

Ghom Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Persian rug from Ghom is made with silk. The material is specified as 100 percent silk and forms the pile of the rug. Silk is used in rug making for its fine fibre, smooth handle and characteristic interaction with light. Depending on the light, a silk surface can show subtle changes in brightness while retaining the same underlying material. This gives the pile a precise and finely differentiated appearance.

The rug is hand-knotted and handmade. In this process, each knot is placed individually into the foundation. The knots are secured by the structural wefts, and the pile is then finished to create an even surface. This method is different from the flat construction of a Kelim. The production method recorded for this piece is knotted, and the workmanship is identified as hand-knotted.

The knot density is described as high. In general, a high knot density allows a weaver to render narrow lines, small contours and detailed floral elements with greater precision. Knot density refers to the number of knots within a defined area and is one of the principal technical features used when examining a hand-knotted rug. The source does not specify the material of the warp, so only the silk pile is stated here.

The condition is described as like new. Professional cleaning is recommended. Hand-knotted silk rugs require appropriate care because silk can be affected by unsuitable cleaning agents, harsh abrasion and excessive moisture. Gentle removal of loose dust and treatment by a qualified rug cleaner help protect both the surface and the structure. These care considerations are especially relevant to a fine, handmade textile.

Origin and Tradition

This rug comes from Iran and is assigned to Ghom, also known as Qom. Ghom is one of the recognised centres of Persian rug production. The city is located in central Iran and has developed a strong reputation for carefully made rugs. Its workshops produce different types of designs and materials, with silk rugs occupying an important place within the local tradition.

Persian rug making belongs to a long craft culture in which weaving knowledge has been passed from one generation to the next. A design is first organised into a detailed plan. The weaver then translates that plan knot by knot, following the intended colours, outlines and repetitions. This requires close attention, since even a small deviation can affect the balance of a line or the symmetry of a motif.

Ghom is particularly associated with finely worked rugs. Silk supports a smooth, closely articulated surface and allows detailed designs to be expressed clearly. Regional traditions often combine floral arrangements, medallions, scrolling vines and carefully divided fields. Some compositions are strongly symmetrical, while others introduce variations within a repeated framework. The design of this particular rug is identified as floral.

Persian rug production includes many regional schools. Isfahan, Tabriz, Kashan, Nain and Kerman are each associated with distinct design approaches, while Ghom is known for fine knotting and refined silk work. Such place names refer to developed workshop traditions, local design languages and inherited skills. For this rug, Ghom is the stated origin. The other cities are not presented as origins for this piece.

The traditional construction joins practical structure and planned ornament. Warp, weft, knots, pile and finishing borders must work together as one textile system. The design determines how a motif moves across the field and how the border frames the interior. Even when a rug is primarily decorative, this relationship between construction and pattern remains central to Persian carpet making.

Design and Pattern

The pattern of this Ghom Persian rug is floral. Floral decoration is one of the enduring design languages of Persian carpet art. Flowers, leaves, vines and curved stems may appear as separate motifs or be linked into a continuous repeat. Their recurrence gives the surface rhythm and organisation without relying solely on angular or geometric forms.

In Persian designs, floral elements are often arranged within a central field, along scrolling vines or inside a border. A border creates an outer frame and gives the central area visual definition. The composition may be carefully mirrored, or it may suggest the more natural movement of growing plants. The description floral identifies the motif category of this rug; it does not provide further details about a medallion, colour scheme or individual flower forms.

High knot density can contribute to the clarity of a fine pattern. When a design can be translated into closely placed knots, small leaves, petals and curved lines can be separated with greater accuracy. Silk complements this effect through its fine fibre and reflective surface. The interaction between fibre, knotting and design explains why silk rugs are often capable of particularly crisp drawing. This is general information about the technique and does not add unrecorded colour or compositional details to this specific rug.

Persian pattern traditions have developed through many variations over centuries. Alongside floral compositions, the repertoire includes geometric fields, medallions, stylised vegetation and all-over arrangements. Motifs are not simply applied as decoration; they organise the entire woven surface. Repeated forms establish relationships between the centre, side areas and surrounding border. In Ghom, these established principles are combined with the fine execution associated with the region.

The character of a floral design depends on the scale of the motifs, the spacing between them and the movement of the outlines. Larger blossoms create a more pronounced visual structure, while smaller vines and leaves produce a finer textile rhythm. In a hand-knotted rug, every line is built from many individual knots, so the design can be understood both as an image and as a technical achievement. This rug is recorded simply as floral; more specific claims about its colours or layout would not be supported.

Special Features

The documented features of this one-off rug are its Iranian origin, its attribution to Ghom, its pile of 100 percent silk, its handmade and hand-knotted construction, and its high knot density. The pattern is floral, and the condition is described as like new. Together, these details identify the material, technique, design category and state of preservation without adding characteristics that have not been recorded.

The rug is suitable for use with underfloor heating. Proper installation should accompany this use. Professional cleaning is recommended for maintenance. With silk, it is sensible not to treat stains with aggressive products or heavy pressure at home. Specialist cleaning provides a controlled approach for the fine pile and the hand-knotted structure. This recommendation is part of the product information and reflects the need for careful handling of the textile.

As a handmade one-off, the rug combines a woven structure with a design executed by hand. The description does not mention a signature, a date of manufacture or an additional provenance. No such details are therefore added here.

FAQ

How should this Ghom Persian rug be cared for?

Professional cleaning is recommended for this rug. A hand-knotted silk rug should be handled gently during routine care. Loose dust can be removed carefully without strong rubbing of the pile. Harsh household cleaners, excessive moisture and unsuitable equipment should be avoided because they may strain the fine silk and the knot structure. For a stain, treatment by a qualified rug cleaner is the appropriate course. Prolonged, intense direct sunlight should also be avoided so that the surface can remain as even as possible over time.

Where does this Persian rug come from?

The rug comes from Iran and is attributed to Ghom, also called Qom. Ghom is an established centre of Persian carpet production and is known for finely made hand-knotted rugs. Floral designs and silk workmanship are among the traditions associated with the region. The origin statement applies to this rug. Other important Persian carpet locations, such as Isfahan, Tabriz or Kashan, are not additional origins for this particular piece.

What indicates the rug’s technical construction?

Several details describe the technical construction: the rug is hand-knotted, handmade, made from 100 percent silk and identified as having high knot density. In a knotted rug, individual knots are inserted into the foundation one by one. A high knot density can support detailed drawing and fine contours, particularly in floral designs. Combined with the silk pile and the handwork, these features describe the relationship between precise construction and ornament that characterises finely made Persian silk rugs.