When stripped of the age-old mystique of magic carpets, Oriental & Persian rugs can be defined as a hand woven rug of natural fiber made in geographical areas that include the Near East, Middle East, Far East and the Balkans. True Oriental rugs also share a common characteristic - the manner in which they're made.
Oriental & Persian Rugs are either flat-woven or hand-knotted, threads form both the rug itself and the design. In hand-knotted rugs, strands of yarn are tied into the flat-woven fabric, creating a pile and pattern.
Like any fine work of art, Oriental & Persian rugs appreciate with the passage of time. During their 2,000 year history, Oriental rugs have been a standard of luxury and have proved countless times their value increases over the years.
Antique Oriental and Persian rugs are generally the most valuable Orientals. The reason is twofold: they have a proven record of appreciation because of their increasing scarcity, and the passage of time has mellowed and enhanced their beautiful colors. Collectors prize them not only for investment potential but also for their loveliness.
A good quality genuine Persian & Oriental rug, properly cared for, can last a lifetime, often enduring to the handed down to the next generation. Naturally, when one makes a life-long purchase of such significance, it is necessary to have a working knowledge of the product, but with the beginner in mind, here is a very introductory primers of what factors affect the value of an Oriental Rug.
AGE
If you are buying an antique (100 years or more) or semi-antique (50-75 years old), be sure to examine it thoroughly. Check for moth damage, stains, brittleness, patches and repairs. Any damage lowers the value of an antique rug, although skillfully made repairs will not have a great impact on the value. As location is to Real Estate, condition is to the valuations of a Persian Rug.
BEAUTY
Genuine Oriental Rugs are works of art. The labor involved is as exacting as that of fine sculpture and the beauty of the piece is often as personally interpreted. Still it is valid to say that the overall beauty of the piece is a determining factor in value.
CONSTRUCTION
Many Persian & Oriental Rugs are categorized by knots per square inch. The high the knot count, the finer the rug. The materials employed in the rug whether it is all silk, all wood, cotton foundation and wool pile or some other combination help define the value and predict the longevity of the rug.
DESIGN
Once upon a time, a rug's design could identify its country of manufacture. As the world has become increasingly global in trade, the distinct lines of production have blurred. Artists borrow inspiration from the world around them, including the rugs they see from other lands. Popular designs have been adapted to be reproduced for all the world to share. It may required an expert eye to identify a rug's origin.
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