Qum Rug Origins & Description Guide

Persian rugs > Persian rug guides > Rug origins > Qum rugs

View our highly decorative Qum rugs.

The Holy city of Qum (Qom, or Ghom) is located 100km south of Tehran in the centre of Iran and is rich in history. Although not traditionally a centre of production, rugs woven in the past hundred years are amongst the best quality on the market today, only rivaled by the likes of Bijar, Nain and Isfahan. They are amongst the most expensive rugs in the world and are highly collectible.

Qum itself is Iran's 8th largest city and is home to around one million people and it is a religious centre for Shi'a Muslims, with over 50 seminary schools. Aside from its rich religious background Qum plays a key part in gas pipelines travelling through the region, bringing great wealth to the area. Over the course of centuries Qum has developed amidst various Arab and Mogul invasions and occupations.

The majority of Qum rugs are small to medium in size and many are woven with luxurious silk, others use very fine wool which is densely knotted making extremely decorative rugs that are often hung on proud owners' walls. The designs are typically curvilinear and floral in their pattern but many are woven to a more pictorial scene, often a tree of life design.

View our decorative Qum rugs here.