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Ghom, Qom, Qum Silk Oriental Rugs and Carpets

Ghom (also spelled Qum, Ghum, Qom, etc.) silk rugs, other than being silk on silk, are some of the most elusive rugs to pin to any specific type of Design. Some of the most distinguishing elements to these rugs are their high investment value, very thin pile height, and high knot count which is often between 400-860 kpsi, sometimes exceeding the latter for some very exceptional qualities. To handle, high quality Ghom silks are fairly dense considering how thin the construction seems. When lifted, Ghom silks will often drape over the hand, and are very malleable, often able to be folded up neatly and compact.

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Qom, Iran is located in the northwestern part of Iran

Perhaps one of the more common themes with Ghom silk rugs is the double ply silk fringe/foundation and use of signatures located in the center of the guard border very close to the fringe outside of the border. While not all Ghom silk rugs have signatures or the previously mentioned, considering entire production, a fair percentage do. Often Ghom silk rugs will feature a very distinct dusty rose color either in the field or the very outside border. The surging on either side of Ghom silks is often extremely delicately sewn often with a single ply silk carefully stitched along the either edge. Other construction characteristics include knots starting the fringe as very small and tightly butted up against the end of the rug where the pile ends. General colors are often jewel toned, as well as being very rich and deep. Perhaps a reason to why these rugs are so difficult to pin a design to may have to do with the fairly recent creation of such weavings. Most silk on silk Ghom rugs found will have been produced post 1940. However, one thing is certain, while Ghom rugs are made in varying qualities designs and colors, they are among some of the finer rugs being produced today. Proof of this can be seen in how many other rug producing countries have attempted to copy such weavings in recent years.