Hand-knotted Qom Persian Rug in Silk, 75 × 58 cm

A hand-knotted Qom rug from Iran, 75 × 58 cm. Qom weaving began in the early twentieth century and works to a drawn cartoon rather than from memory, which is why the layouts come out so exact. Around 326,000 knots went into this piece (700,000-799,999 knots/sqm) — a density that lets the drawing carry detail rather than outline. Pile 100% silk, warp 100% silk. Silk carries dye deeper than wool: the colours sit darker in shadow and brighter into the light. A small format at 75 × 58 cm, usually hung or laid where it will be seen close up. Proportion 1.29:1. Every rug here is a single piece — there is no second one in this size and colour.