There are many different types and quality levels found in fine Persian and Oriental rugs. We make sure to offer only rugs that are of very high quality. Some are machine made, but many are made by hand. Imagine owning a rug that took an entire family 6 months to make by hand! Whether you are looking for area rugs, wool rugs, braided rugs or a bath rug or kitchen rug, look for a high quality rug that will last a lifetime.
Here are some things we consider when evaluating fine Oriental and Persian rugs:
Color: Is the color consistent throughout the rug; are the colors attractive and do they work together?
Materials: Are the materials used in the rugs manufacture high quality wool, silk or cotton? Is the density of the rug correct – the denser the longer it will last?
Workmanship: We carefully inspect the weave and knot count of our Persian and oriental rugs. Is the knot count appropriate for the design and anticipated use of the rug? Was the design properly followed by the maker, and is the rug symmetrical in construction? It is also important to lay the rug out and see if it is flat and lays straight.
Things to know when buying Persian or Oriental rugs:
Fine rugs are knotted by hand of wool or silk, and have a three dimensional texture, not a flat surface. There are three important factors to consider when choosing fine rugs: is it made by hand or machine, how good is the weave, and what materials were used to make it.
Handmade means the rug is hand-knotted; a person has tied each strand of yarn to the rug's foundation. A good quality machine-made rug can just as good of a value as a handmade rug, and is often a better deal than a poorly made handmade rug. Of course, a well made, well designed handmade rug of good material will be the most valuable of all rugs. The more knots per square inch, the more expensive the rug is likely to be, and rugs with a high knot-count will usually last much longer.
In general, wool is considered the best material for making fine rugs, although silk is perfectly acceptable and many of the world’s most expensive rugs are made from silk. Silk is less durable and harder to keep clean than wool. Cotton rugs are low cost and can look good but tend to be more disposable.
Sales gimmicks: when you see “discounts” on Oriental or Persian rugs offered by mass retail stores this is usually an indication that the original price has been inflated so that it can be discounted. Rugs carry a high markup, in some cases rugs are marked up by a higher percentage than furniture.
A rug that costs $1,000 wholesale might carry a retail list price of up to $5,000. Don’t be fooled when a store offers this rug at a so-called half price sale – this rug would be sold by us at RealGoodFurniture.com any day of the year for as low as $1,150. Be very careful of both online and offline auctions, other than those by well-known auction houses. And be especially careful of itinerant rug merchants that come to town and hold a sale at a local hotel. |
