Fine Persian Qum Silk Rug

Rug #2529
Size: 300 x 200 cm / 9.8 x 6.6 ft
Handwoven in: 
Design:  ,
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POA

Unique and Rare Qum Silk Rug Allover Vase design and pictorial reserve, Pure Silk

 

An Exceptionally Fine Persian Qum Silk Rug,  Central Persia, Silk on Silk Foundation, Signed.

Mid 20th Century

An exceptionally fine Persian Qum Silk rug, with a hunting scene horizontal band and accompanying floral profusion, presented in an exceptional range of Qum colours.

The electric blue field with a central horizontal band enclosing an ornate ogival vase issuing a floral bouquet, flanked on either side with a mirrored archer mounted on a charger in pursuit of ibex amongst millefleurs blossom stems, within two horizontal bands of five rectangular reserves comprising mihrabs, hanging floral vases, floral pendants and millefleurs ascending vines, within outer horizontal bands enclosing pairs of mirrored ochre lobed cartouches each enclosing polychrome millefleurs, surrounded by a complementary blue border enclosing winged pendants and ogival vases issuing polychrome millefleurs, inscription to one end.

The city of Qum is a recently established centre for the weaving of urban style rugs with workshops appearing there from around 1927 onwards. Qum rapidly became a significant and important centre for the creation of technically extremely fine silk rugs and carpets, though fine wool pile rugs are also made there. The repertoire of Qum designs is varied, ranging from designs based on Safavid Persian traditions of the 16th and 17th Centuries, through to individual creative designs of unparalleled technical and artistic visual excellence. Persian Qum rug designs  can often be described as ground breaking. The fine silk used in Persian Qum creations allows the highly skilled weavers to draw exceptional precise detail often in minute scale.

This exceptionally fine Persian Qum silk rug displays a unique ground breaking composition, consistent with the very best of Qum woven artistry. The panelled field design is a variation of the traditional ‘Garden design’ seen in numerous centres of traditional carpet production, with depictions of plants, trees and vases issuing a profusion of blossom. Prayer niches are also depicted which are traditional elements frequently seen in garden design rugs. The presence of a central horizontal band shows similarly drawn millefleurs decoration with the inclusion of mirrored huntsmen on horseback with potential prey running in retreat. This element is directly taken from the traditional ‘hunting’ rug design normally seen in all over field designs originating from early 17th century Safavid tradition. In turn, the Persian hunting scene subject matter is taken from early Persian and Indian historical illuminated manuscript images and stories. Apart from the exceptional detail of the drawing of these figures and animals, is the fact that the two horses are presented in brilliant white, which in contrast to the jewel like colours of the pattern elements makes these figures stand out. The eye is naturally drawn to this central element from which the rest of the magnificent highly detailed composition extends.

Cartouches are often seen as definitive features in Qum rug design repertoire; seen traditionally as field decoration, or border embellishment often enclosing script. In this instance they are seen as individual complementary floral features in pairs in horizontal end bands. Such inclusion in this format is unique, and supports the individual elements, simply enhancing the overall appearance, and introducing a traditional element in an original way. The millfleurs presentation of the floral elements is rapidly seen as a major feature of Persian Qum woven artistry, a style seemingly originating from the skilled weavers of Persian Kerman revivalist tradition and reproduced in an original accomplished Qum style of representation. The design as seen here is mirrored on the vertical axis with staggering accuracy.

The sheer variety of complementary contrasting jewel like colours is a remarkable achievement in creating a magnificent original artistic statement, and serves to enhance the importance of Qum as one of the most influential and important centres of Pahlavi dynasty woven art centres.

Unique and Rare Persian Silk Qum Rug. This piece was handwoven in Qum, Iran. For further information please contact us and our team will be pleased to assist you. All pieces in the collection are under the auspices of Essie Sakhai, one of the world’s foremost experts and collectors of fine handmade Persian rugs and carpets.

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