Antique oriental rugs have been made all over the world for countless years and if you are thinking of buying one, it may be difficult to know where to begin. Old ones are not always better than new ones but if you find a quality rug that was made many years ago, it always has more value than one made recently. A quality item that is more than 100 years old and still in good condition can be a valuable asset.
Age is one of the factors in determining the value of a rug. It is only considered to be an antique if it is 80 years old or older. It may be hard to pin down its exact age. Finding it where it was made and by whom can help determine its age. For example, if you know a Persian rug has been hand-made in Iran using specific designs, materials and dyeing processes, this helps to pin down its age.
The four parts of a rug are the weft, warp, selvage or edge and the knots. The knots are tied by hand and a good weaver ties thousands of knots a day. The number of knots can therefore give an indication of the amount of labor involved and this affects the price.
The materials used are also important when it comes to determining value. The primary materials used are wool, cotton and silk. Most tribal or nomadic rugs are wool pile with a wool foundation. Natural fibers are durable and generally age well. Silk is the most luxurious material but these pieces are usually better for hanging than using in high traffic areas.
When selecting an item like this, natural dyes are preferred to synthetic dyes that were only produced later. These dyes were vegetable dyes and if a rug has many colors that harmonize well together and have faded beautifully, it has great appeal. One has to be careful though as there are dealers who use bleach to create this aged effect.
Designs used on these items are very diverse. Family weavers used to pass down designs from generation to generation. Designs used in towns and cities were different to those used in the country. In the country, geometric patterns were often used that were simple and bold. Ones made in the city often featured intricate patterns with great attention to detail.
While some irregularity is part and parcel of being hand-made, a good rug will always lie flat and straight on the floor and will not appear too washed out or unnaturally bright. Very few are in pristine condition due to their age. If a rug is cracking it should not be purchased as this means the threads are starting to snap. If the fringe is a bit worn but the pile is still even, its condition is good.
Availability and demand is another factor that can influence value. Rarity always has a price. Some knowledge is better than none when buying antique oriental rugs and doing research online can give you some basic information to help you understand what to look for. Finding a reputable dealer is best as you cannot become an expert with a little research.
Age is one of the factors in determining the value of a rug. It is only considered to be an antique if it is 80 years old or older. It may be hard to pin down its exact age. Finding it where it was made and by whom can help determine its age. For example, if you know a Persian rug has been hand-made in Iran using specific designs, materials and dyeing processes, this helps to pin down its age.
The four parts of a rug are the weft, warp, selvage or edge and the knots. The knots are tied by hand and a good weaver ties thousands of knots a day. The number of knots can therefore give an indication of the amount of labor involved and this affects the price.
The materials used are also important when it comes to determining value. The primary materials used are wool, cotton and silk. Most tribal or nomadic rugs are wool pile with a wool foundation. Natural fibers are durable and generally age well. Silk is the most luxurious material but these pieces are usually better for hanging than using in high traffic areas.
When selecting an item like this, natural dyes are preferred to synthetic dyes that were only produced later. These dyes were vegetable dyes and if a rug has many colors that harmonize well together and have faded beautifully, it has great appeal. One has to be careful though as there are dealers who use bleach to create this aged effect.
Designs used on these items are very diverse. Family weavers used to pass down designs from generation to generation. Designs used in towns and cities were different to those used in the country. In the country, geometric patterns were often used that were simple and bold. Ones made in the city often featured intricate patterns with great attention to detail.
While some irregularity is part and parcel of being hand-made, a good rug will always lie flat and straight on the floor and will not appear too washed out or unnaturally bright. Very few are in pristine condition due to their age. If a rug is cracking it should not be purchased as this means the threads are starting to snap. If the fringe is a bit worn but the pile is still even, its condition is good.
Availability and demand is another factor that can influence value. Rarity always has a price. Some knowledge is better than none when buying antique oriental rugs and doing research online can give you some basic information to help you understand what to look for. Finding a reputable dealer is best as you cannot become an expert with a little research.
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