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SILK RUGS - The epitome of handmade rugs!
In the world of handmade rugs, silk rugs hold a distinct place as the most exclusive hand knotted rugs with the most intricate and artistic pieces crafted by the most skilled artisans in top-tier workshops. They are celebrated for their exquisite patterns, precision knotting, and use of premium silk, earning them their own special classification in the rug world.
Top-tier workshops specializing in silk rugs use only the finest silk, renowned for its luminous sheen, texture, and long-lasting strength. Pure silk is incredibly durable, provided it is not blended with lower-grade materials like mercerized cotton. Prestigious workshops, especially those in Hereke (Turkey) and Qom (Iran), uphold the highest standards and would never compromise the integrity of their work by using inferior materials. The weaving of silk rugs requires artisans with exceptional precision and skill—a rarity today. Creating a large silk rug can take between one and five years, making each rug a timeless masterpiece of craftsmanship and design.
Today, the most elaborate silk rugs are produced in Qom(Ghom), Iran, where weaving began around a century ago by artisans from Kashan. Silk rugs are also produced in Hereke (Turkey). However, due to the limited production they are rare and command high prices, particularly in larger sizes. Hereke is also recognized for producing the largest variety of handmade silk rugs in Turkey with diverse patterns and sizes. In 1843 an imperial handmade workshop was established in Hereke to weave the finest carpets for the Ottoman court. Each renowned workshop has its own distinctive style and color palette. While Iranian silk rugs often feature curvilinear motifs and floral patterns utilize the Persian knot, Hereke rugs are recognized for their use of the double knot technique. The single knot produces a carpet that is more pliable and flexible whereas the double knotted rugs feel a bit more ridged and less flexible. This being said bot are equally durable and resistant to wear. The warp strands on Qom(Ghom) carpets are silk but the weft strands can be either silk or cotton. The finest pieces utilize silk for both warp and weft.
Given the limited supply of high-quality silk rugs in the world, they represent more than just elegant home décor; they embody a dwindling yet enduring tradition of hand-knotting and serve as valuable cultural and artistic investments.
In the video above, a signed Ahmadi silk rug is showcased, boasting around 1.2 million knots per square meter. Ahmadi is a well-established silk rug manufacturer from Qom, Iran, known for its detailed craftsmanship and sharp design elements. The pile is sheared low to emphasize its detailed patterns. Ahmadi rugs use the finest silk available and are regarded as being among the most refined and valuable in the market.
Date: 24th of July 2025
Part 1: Qom (Ghom)-Handmade Silk Rugs of Iran
Today, Qom (also spelled Ghom) is renowned for producing the highest quality silk rugs in Iran, offering the greatest variety of designs and sizes currently available on the market.
Since the 1930s, when master weavers from Kashan established workshops in Qom to weave fine handmade carpets using kork wool (a high-grade wool taken from the neck of lambs), the city has become internationally recognized for its exceptional craftsmanship and refined, intricate designs. Over time, Qom weavers transitioned from kork wool to pure silk, creating some of the most luxurious and collectible carpets in the world.
Qom rugs are typically made with high-quality silk and woven using the asymmetrical (Persian) knot, which allows for precise detail and complex patterns. Common designs include:
- Floral motifs with central medallions
- Prayer rugs (mihrab designs)
- Boteh (paisley) motifs
- Panel compositions
- The Tree of Life
- Garden or Paradise patterns
Many of the most prestigious workshops sign their carpets with the city name (Ghom) followed by the family or workshop name, typically woven into the top border of the rug. These signatures serve as marks of authenticity and prestige.
Qom silk rugs are known for their crisp, detailed designs and shorter pile, distinguishing them from silk rugs produced in other regions such as Kashmir. The typical color palette includes ivory, a range of red and navy tones, turquoise, various shades of yellow, and occasionally green. In recent years, however, the palette has shifted toward softer, pastel hues, reflecting evolving design trends and changing market preferences.
Despite their delicate appearance, these rugs are remarkably durable. However, owners should take care to immediately clean spills, especially sugary liquids, to prevent staining or permanent damage, as silk can absorb and retain moisture quickly.
The average Qom silk rug features a knot density of 700,000 to 1,000,000 knots per square meter, with high-end pieces reaching 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 knots per square meter. Knot count is a major factor in determining a rug’s detail, quality, and value.
(Back of Qom Silk Rug)
Qom silk carpets are among the most expensive Persian rugs on the market. Rugs produced in famous workshops or with exceptionally high knot counts can command significantly higher prices. It is essential to purchase these carpets from a reputable dealer who can provide certification of authenticity, knot count, and guarantee of origin.
As both decorative art and a long-term investment, Qom silk rugs offer excellent value. Their production is limited, and in the past decade, the value of Ghom silk rugs has doubled, making them a favored acquisition among collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Date: 26th of July, 2025
Part 2: Kashmir Silk Carpet Weaving
Kashmir has a rich tradition of carpet weaving that stretches back more than four hundred years. However, it was not until the late 19th century that dedicated workshops began to flourish across the region. Today, many of India’s finest handmade carpets originate in Kashmir, with the most exquisite examples crafted in Srinagar.
Kashmiri designs draw much of their inspiration from Persian weaving traditions. These intricate patterns typically feature a central medallion surrounded by dense arrangements of floral elements, palmettes, vines, and tendrils. Prayer rugs produced in Kashmir often showcase entire fields filled with delicate floral motifs, and many designs also incorporate elements adapted from traditional Kashmiri embroidery.
Both wool and silk are used in the creation of these carpets. Wool is commonly chosen for the pile and often highlighted with silk to enhance texture and sheen. Pure silk rugs may have either silk or cotton warps, with silk-warped rugs representing the highest level of quality. The most refined silk carpets are made on silk foundations and boast a luxurious, supple finish.
More common silk pieces with cotton warps typically have an 18×18 knot density — approximately 500,000 knots per square meter — which gives them a firmer underside. However, these cotton-based pieces do not wear as durably as Persian Qom or Turkish Hereke rugs. Though still attractive, they may not be as highly prized as finer examples, especially given that most feature a more limited range of designs.
Premium Kashmiri pieces are usually woven at 24×24 density — around 900,000 knots per square meter — using silk warps for a softer feel and increased durability.
(Back of Kashmir Silk rug)
That said, it’s important to note that some Kashmir rug producers may use synthetic or “art” silk (mercerized cotton), often to mimic the sheen of genuine silk. Such imitations do not qualify as true silk rugs and are considerably less valuable. Authentic Kashmiri silk rugs tend to feature a more subtle pastel color palette, with motifs that are softer and less sharply defined than those seen in Iranian Qom or Turkish silk rugs.
Nonetheless, Kashmiri silk rugs are celebrated for their beauty, craftsmanship, and wide range of sizes, making them a treasured addition to any collection.
Date: 16th of July, 2025