Oriental Rugs Glossary

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Qum

Qum (also: "Qom" or "Ghom") is located in Central Iran and was called "Kumandan" in pre-Islamic times. After Meshed, Qum is the second most important pilgrimage city in Iran. The second Shah of the Quajar dynasty had the dome of Fatima's mausoleum covered with gold (Fatima was the sister of the 8th Imam Reza and is buried in Qum). Around 1930 carpet manufacturing began in Qum and today you have a number of esteemed manufactories in Qum. Qum rugs are mostly woven with the Persian knot as opposed to the Turkish knot with which most Persian rugs are made. In general one can characterize Qum rugs by being fine and accurately made. Some manufactories have specialized in making silk rugs and gained a high standard and high popularity.