Vintage Persian Eastern Qum Rug

Eastern Qum Rug. Qum Rug, Central Persia, Wool on Cotton Foundation. Mid 20th Century, the blue field with an all over design displaying columns of flame palmettes and small flower heads linked by two tiered ogival flowering vines issuing leaves, within a pale blue border enclosing continuous fan palmettes linked by curvilinear vines issuing leaves. The Holy City of Qum is a relatively recent centre of production for traditionally based urban workshop carpets with workshops first appearing there in 1927. Qum rapidly became highly significant and important with an emphasis on producing technically fine silk rugs, and output was prolific by the late 1930's. Initially their rugs displayed designs firmly influenced and inspired by the Classical carpet designs originating from the neighbouring city of Kashan, which in turn was one of the most historically important centres of carpet production with a tradition of carpet making dating back to the 'Golden Age' under the patronage of the Safavid Rulers ( 1502- 1736 ). Persian Qum carpets can, however display highly individual and unique patterns, without being constrained by tradition due to the fact that it is a relatively new centre of carpet production. This wool piled example displays characteristic features of the Qum approach to rug design, with this pattern based on traditional classical urban rug composition. The colours are from a traditional Qum palette, the tones of which suggest that this rug was made around the 1950's. Dimensions: 270cm x 163