QA

Question: How To Tell If An Oriental Rug Is Valuable

How do I know if my rug is valuable?

Check to be sure the color goes to the base of each tuft and look for knots at the base. These are also indicators that the rug is handmade. Handmade Persian rugs are considerably more valuable than machine-made rugs.

Are old Oriental rugs worth anything?

Rug Myth Number Two All oriental rugs appreciate in value. Most post-World War II rugs do not appreciate in value, nor will most rugs purchased new today appreciate in value. Consumers most likely paid more for some rugs in the 60’s and 70’s than they are worth today.

How can you tell if an Oriental rug is antique?

Signs To Identify Fake Oriental Rugs Your Rug Has A Hard Plastic Back. Real oriental rugs, hand knotted oriental rugs will always feature a soft backing whose pattern matches the top pile like a mirror image. The Colors Are Bleeding. The Fringe Is Sewn Or Glued On. It’s Not Hand Knotted. The Rug Isn’t Made With Wool.

How do you know if an oriental rug is hand-knotted?

Look at the back of the rug. In hand knotted rugs the weaving and the knots will be slightly uneven and not always exact and uniform. Some knots may be larger and some may be smaller. If you were to cut one of the knots – one single piece would come out.

How do I identify a Persian rug?

Real Persian Rugs Always Have a Soft Backing For one thing, the presence or absence of imperfections in the knots can tell you a lot about whether it is hand-knotted or machine made. Secondly, the texture and type of backing can also be very revealing. Authentic Persian rugs are always hand-knotted.

Are Oriental rugs a good investment?

Yes, a fine Persian or Oriental rug is a good financial investment! It may appreciate in value and leave your family an heirloom.

What is the markup on Oriental rugs?

Oriental Rug Retailers of America, which does not allow merchants who conduct GOBs to be members, estimates rugs sold at many such sales are marked up at least 10 times and then “discounted” 80 percent. That means a rug worth $1,000 could be marked up to $10,000, then sold for $2,000.

What is the difference between a Persian rug and an Oriental rug?

These are the customers we love to discuss anything that has to do with rugs; such as knot counts and motifs. So the simple answer is that Persian rugs are Oriental rugs. Oriental rugs simply refer to rugs made in oriental countries. Persian rugs are made in Iran and Iran is an oriental country.

How can you tell if a rug is handmade?

Check the underside of the rug One of the best ways to tell if your rug is handmade rather than machine made is by checking the back or underside of the rug. If the knots and weaving are not perfectly uniform, then you will know it’s a handmade rug.

How can I tell where my rug came from?

Antique Rugs Origins – The truth of the origin is on the backside of the rug. This is why, when examining an antique carpet or vintage rug, most experts, after looking at color and design, will turn the rug over to determine its origin.

What can I do with Oriental rugs?

Donate your rug – If you have a worn but historically significant rug, you can donate it to a historical society, museum, or nonprofit organization. If it’s recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity, you can claim a tax deduction for the value of the rug.

How do you date a Persian rug?

Rotate the ruler 90 degrees and count the number of knots in 1 inch of warp. The number of knots per square inch can help date a carpet, depending on the style. For example, modern Isfahan rugs have a higher KPSI than those woven in the 18th and 19th centuries, which seldom exceed 400 KPSI.

How do you tell if a rug is wool or synthetic?

Take them outdoors and clamp them with a pair of tweezers. Light the fibers with a lighter. If they melt and smell like burning plastic, you have a synthetic rug. If they crumble and smell like burning hair, you have a wool rug.

What are Oriental rugs called now?

Since many of these countries lie in an area which today is referred to as the Islamic world, oriental rugs are often also called “Islamic Carpets”, and the term “oriental rug” is used mainly for convenience. The carpets from Iran are known as “Persian Carpets”.

Are Signed Persian rugs more valuable?

Does the presence of a sigature or inscription make a rug more valuable? Despite what the dealer is likely to tell you, probably not. A number of city rug types like Isfahan, Kashan, Nain, and Ghoum (from Iran), Hereke and Kayseri (from Turkey), and fine Bokharas and Kashans from Pakistan are signed.

What is the most expensive Persian rug?

Sotheby’s $33 Million Dollar Rug: The Most Expensive Rug Ever Sold. The most expensive rug ever sold is the Sotheby’s ’17th Century Antique Persian Carpet’ which sold for $33 Million. Shattering all records and becoming the most expensive rug ever sold, the auction at Sotheby’s New York baffled everyone.