How To Identify Authentic Antique Rugs
A rug must be over 80 years old to be considered antique; however Oriental rugs, the most renowned carpets in the world, can be centuries old. Produced in the Far East, Central Asia, and many regions of the Middle East, these fine rugs boast excellent craftsmanship and unsurpassed beauty. Antique rugs are used to adorn both floors and walls and are considered a form of art. As collectible items, antique carpets are sometimes sold for millions of dollars at the finest auction houses.
Out of all the antique rugs, the best known are Persian carpets. Produced in ancient Persia (or Iran of today), these finely knotted rugs feature bold geometric or curvilinear designs framed within decorative borders. If you examine the patterns closely, you will notice that the motifs typically appear in the center, to one side, or cover the entire area of the carpet. Named after the tribe or region where they were manufactured, each rug is woven on a loom and features a design characteristic of that region.
At one time, these traditional carpets were the exclusive property of royalty, who would commission the top weavers in the country to create a new rug. Some of the most famous rugs include Ashfar, Tabriz, Kerman, Kashan, Baluch, Wiss, and Shiraz rugs. Whether you are looking for a rug as a center piece for your home, your apartment, your office suite, or even a palace or castle, an attention-grabbing Persian rug will do the trick.
So how do you go about buying antique carpets, and how do you know if you're getting the real deal or being tricked into buying a fake? First, before you head to the store, be sure to measure the room the carpet is intended for. Fortunately, you can find Persian rugs in various shapes and size suitable for most rooms. As you shop around, you might notice that prices can vary widely, influenced by factors such as the condition of the rug, the spacing or size of the knots, and the complexity of the motif.
You can conduct a couple of tests to determine whether a rug presented as an antique is genuine or not. Authentic antique rug fringes are woven, while the fringes on machine-made rugs are tacked on later. Furthermore, the back of a machine-made rug often has some kind of mesh to cover up the knots. Conversely, genuine antique rugs have the same design appearing on the front and the back, with all knots visible.
Be sure to shop for a rug at reputable dealers who provide references. Shop around, visiting several dealers or comparing products and prices on the Internet. Be sure to ask about delivery, shipping, and return policies, and never purchase a rug without getting a warranty in writing. Keep in mind that authentic antique rugs will require restoration and repair at some point, and some dealers will include this service in the purchase price. To be certain you are getting the best rug for your money, the experts advise bringing in a professional appraiser to evaluate the condition and authenticity of the rug that interests you.
Final, "BUYER BEWARE": Beware of buying an antique rug from a store going out of business since you have no way of returning/exchanging the rug if you discover something wrong. Similarly, beware of antique rugs offered at a discount – authentic rugs have a strong market value and don't go on sale.
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