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Press Release
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A Basic Primer for Buying an Oriental Rug  March 4, 2016 - The term “Oriental rug” is a generic term that applies to any carpet woven by hand across the Eastern world. It includes both new production created in a wide area stretching from Romania to China, and antique rugs, the finest of which were created as one-of-a-kind art works in the traditional weaving regions of Persia, the Caucasus, Turkey and Central Asia. The best antique rugs (technically 100 years old or more) possess an awe-inspiring level of beauty that is the result of individually conceived, highly evocative designs; radiant, naturally dyed yarns; extremely luminous, elastic wool, and an extraordinary level of aesthetic balance. Those looking to collect or to invest or who simply wish for the most striking, artful pieces, seek out the finer quality of rugs from the “Second Golden Age of Persian weaving” (circa 1800 to 1910), a period of great artistic accomplishment and a phenomenal range of natural dyed yarns. By the 1930s, Persian rugs became primarily decorative pieces with chemical dyes and standardized designs that lack originality and have very limited resale value. The enormous hand-weaving industry today produces rugs that either emulate the traditional designs or color ways of antique rugs or use nouveau designs and colors chosen for today’s décors. These widely available new rugs should be considered exclusively handsome, highly practical home furnishings. “Knot count,” i.e. how tightly a rug is woven, is an oft-confused topic. It is of great importance in some types of rugs and of no consequence in others. The best antique rugs woven in Persian or Turkish cities employed intricate floral patterns relying on finely detailed, tremendously articulated motifs best achieved through the use of a high knot density of 200-600 knots per square inch (kpsi) and closely cut, evenly shorn pile. In contrast, antique rugs woven in small villages or nomadic encampments feature large-scale, geometric designs with a robust, casual ambiance that is best accomplished through much coarser weaves of 50-120 kpsi and higher cut pile. In later Persian rugs and contemporary carpets, a higher knot count of 150-550 kpsi is a central determiner of craftsmanship. Coupled with the quality of the wool used, kpsi indicates the durability of the rug. Wool quality will differ greatly from rug to rug. High quality wool has three vital characteristics: sheen, strength and elasticity. Because the best, unprocessed wool contains natural lanolin, avoid a rug that is coarse and dry, as its wool is either low-grade or has been subject to chemical washing. Silk rugs are preferred by some buyers, as silk increases the intensity of colors and accommodates a yet finer weave than can be achieved using the wool pile and cotton foundation of the majority of antique rugs. However, many connoisseurs avoid silk rugs because, unlike naturally dyed wool-pile rugs, as silk ages it doesn’t take on patina–a deeply appealing simultaneous softening and heightening of the colors. Also because silk lacks the great longevity of high-grade wool, it wears more quickly and is susceptible to staining. When choosing an antique rug for floor use, consider where it will be located. While some antique rugs are in excellent condition, the vast majority have at least some wear and restoration. With proper care, they can be used on the floor for decades. For spaces with light to medium traffic, don’t shy away from 19th-century rugs with well-executed, visually innocuous restorations, as they are often among the most beautiful rugs available today. To determine a rug’s appropriate location, consult with a highly reputable antique rug dealer. As Warren Buffett aptly said, “If you don’t know jewelry, know the jeweler.” Other important considerations in choosing a rug include: Until you become familiar with how Oriental rugs perform in your particular setting, see a rug in the space it will occupy before buying it. When viewing a rug, first look at it as one complete composition, without focusing on the details. Endeavor to take it in as a whole before forming an opinion about it. Antique rugs in particular often are sophisticated art objects that were woven over years by a team of dexterous weavers. Thus, their intricacies and level of overall impact cannot be seen upon a cursory glance. Then, examine the rug’s various features: the colors, its pattern language, any intentional design asymmetries and nuances of hues the weavers have employed. Looking at the rug globally, then in detail can reveal the rug’s level of aesthetic harmony and artistic impact. Sensitive viewing of an antique rug can be both a profound emotional and intellectual experience that heightens your feelings and intrigues your mind. A rug with this virtue will bring tremendous ongoing pleasure. For more information, |