Genuine Persian Ghom or Qom carpets are a sign of discreet luxury and are among the most expensive oriental carpets ever. It originates from the Iranian city of Qom, where it and the surrounding villages have been weaved by artists for only a century. Local designers began making them around 1920, based on original Caucasian designs, and gradually began to weave original carpets of high quality, the finest of which can reportedly have up to around 1.6 million knots per square metre, an absolute record. In comparison, rough carpets have around 25,000 knots per m2 and a skilled weaver can make 10,000 knots per hour. Initially, lambswool was the most widely used material for Qom carpets, but gradually they began to be knotted from local silk. The traditional colours are red, dark blue and ivory, and the motifs are medallion or bouquet of flowers. Qom are usually weaved in smaller or medium sizes and are often used as wall carpets. They are also given as state gifts; a Qom tied by two women for three years was given, for example, to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe on a visit to Iran, and presented to him by Iranian President Rouhani, who said that such a gift showed Iranian patience, punctuality and consistency. The top Qom carpet manufacturers usually have long-term contracts to exclusively supply their entire production to one or two importers in Western Europe.