The term Oriental rug refers to rugs from the continent of Asia. This includes the countries of Turkey, Iran (Persia), Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan.
Sometimes the term Oriental and Persian are used interchangeably to describe the same style of rug. While Persian rugs are Oriental Rugs, not all Oriental rugs are considered Persian. Persia (present-day Iran) was considered the rug weaving center of the world for thousands of years. People generally assumed Persian rugs were the finest in the world. Until recently, most of the Oriental rugs sold in the United States were from Persia. While it’s true that Oriental rugs woven in Iran are generally of superior quality, there are those that range from mediocre to poor. Here are some tips to make sure the rug you purchase is made to last:
1.) Be sure to only purchase from a reputable dealer. Stay far away from “Going out of Business” sales. Also avoid traveling auctions. They are usually outlets for rejected goods. It is advisable to deal with direct importers of handmade rugs.
2.) Make sure the rug you choose fits your personal taste and style. Does it have a pattern and color that you like? Is it rich and luminous? Is the pile at an even height, and sheared properly? Is the right size for the area in your home where you want to place the rug?
When it comes to one of a kind, hand-made rugs, remember they won’t be standard size. Authentic hand-knotted and woven Oriental area rugs are ‘perfectly imperfect’. Don’t worry about these irregularities. They’re proof that the rug was made by a human hand and not a machine. Many of the looms that tribal weavers use are wood. Wood reacts to heat, cold and dry or moist air. The loom can warp, hence, the reason for some of the irregularities. When you deal with art, irregularities just make the art more charming. In other words, if the rug is pleasing to you, these irregularities do not diminish the value of the rug.
Here are some points to consider when deciding if the rug you’re looking at is of high quality:
1.) An authentic Oriental/Persian rug is made of natural materials, such as wool, cotton, silk, goat’s hair, and camel hair, with wool being the most popular material for the pile of the rug. Your Oriental rug that is made of a natural fiber, such as wool, will way outlast a synthetic broadloom and it’s much healthier in that there are no chemical emissions.
2.) Another thing to consider is the knot per square inch, or KPSI. Many people believe the higher the KPSI, the better the rug. This is true and not true. Why? Because it really depends on what part of the country the rug is made in, either in the city or country-side. City rugs are more formal in style and tend to have a higher knot count, as do silk rugs. Because there are more knots per square inch, the effect is finer, with more detailed images. Country rugs have a lower KPSI. They are bolder in design and more rustic, and have a more informal appeal. If the knot count is below 70, consider looking at another rug. Just remember, there are some extraordinarily fine Oriental rugs, which are traditionally executed with a lower knot count.
3.) The classical centers of Persian carpet production include: Tabriz, Kashan, Herat, and Kerman. The style traditionally comes in 3 general categories: geometric, floral, or pictorial/curvilinear. Just choose what appeals to you. Take into consideration where you are placing the rug. If it is to be used in a dining room with a table covering a good portion of it, then, choose a more all-over pattern with”border” interest. A center medallion will not be optimal in this case.
4.) Be sure to examine the backside of the rug you should be able to distinguish the individual knots and the pattern should be clear. The knots of a hand-made rug will not be regular or grid-like as with machine made rugs. Try folding the rug in half. If it creases, then it’s of poor quality. A quality hand knotted or woven rug can be folded and rolled. It will always lay flat when opened up.
5.) Make sure the rug is properly finished. Also, make sure it lays flat.
6.) Be sure the dealer is willing to guarantee that the rug is authentic.
Oriental rugs are like paintings. They need to be showcased, or at least presented well. And it’s easier to start with the rug. If you already have furniture, then consider your furniture when choosing your rug. If your furniture has a lot going on, in other words, on the busy side, then you might need a quieter design in your rug. Also, be sensitive to color. You basically should have 3 big color blocks in your room: the walls, the sofa, and the rug, and all of the other colors play to those three.
