Kum

Qum (also spelled Qom or Ghom in Japanese) is the capital city of Qom Province, located in north-central Iran, approximately 120–140 km south of Tehran. Known as one of the five major centers of Persian carpet production, Qum is also a deeply religious city that attracts many pilgrims each year.

Qum carpets are broadly divided into two types: silk and wool. However, silk carpets make up the vast majority of those produced in the region. Qum is globally recognized as one of the most prominent centers for handwoven silk rugs.

The beauty of silk rugs lies in their smooth, luxurious texture and their shimmering luster, which changes depending on the viewing angle. Due to their intricate weaves and refined elegance, Qum silk carpets are often referred to as “jewels of thread”—a title befitting their status as some of the finest Persian rugs available.

Interestingly, Qum did not have a long-standing history in carpet production prior to the 20th century. The town's transformation began in the 1920s and 1930s, when skilled weavers from Kashan—a well-established carpet-producing region—relocated to Qum. Under their guidance, full-scale rug production began in the mid-1930s.

Despite its relatively short history, Qum has established a solid reputation in the global luxury rug market in less than a century.

Today, Qum is home to many renowned workshops, each known for its own distinctive designs and use of color. These artistic styles are so unique that experienced collectors can often identify a rug’s workshop at a glance.