Vintage persian rugs are an excellent choice for homeowners and interior designers seeking to imbue their homes with history, tradition, skill, and beauty. They also serve as an important investment, as the value of Persian rugs increase over time due to their age and rarity. It is therefore important to understand the connection between a rug’s age and its value so that you can make smart purchases when investing in these timeless treasures.
Antique rugs are typically considered to be at least 100 years old. Like antique paintings and furniture, vintage rugs become increasingly valuable as they age. A rug that is deemed an antique will typically have a high quality and unique design that sets it apart from other rugs of the same type and era. A rug’s age and condition are the primary factors in determining its value, but there are several other considerations that should be taken into account when shopping for a vintage Persian rug.
Authenticity
Antique Persian rugs are usually hand-knotted, requiring immense skill from the weavers. These weavers used natural dyes derived from plants and minerals to produce the desired colors for their masterpieces. The use of these natural dyes led to a predominance of certain colors in the Persian rug designs. For example, red was commonly produced from madder root, yellow was often derived from chamomile and onion flowers, black from oak apples, acorns, or tanner’s sumach, and blue was typically achieved through indigo.
In addition to the use of natural dyes, antique Persian rugs are known for their intricate motifs and patterns. They typically feature floral motifs and geometric shapes, as well as complex borders. Unlike many modern rugs, antique rugs do not feature images of people or animals. This is because the religion of Islam prohibits depictions of such things in a profane context.
The knot density of a vintage persian rug is another important consideration. Vintage Persian rugs tend to have a higher knot density than most modern rugs. This higher knot count is a sign of superior craftsmanship and can be used as an indicator of the age of the rug.
Lastly, the fringe should look like a natural extension of the rug itself. This is because traditional rug weavers created the fringe by trailing excess material off the edges of the woven piece. In contrast, a machine-made rug’s fringe is typically sewn or glued onto the edges of the rug.
If you are interested in buying a vintage persian rug, it is crucial to shop with a reputable dealer that specializes in these beautiful works of art. A reputable dealer will be able to educate you on the different types of Persian rugs and can answer any questions you may have about them. They will also be able to help you find the right size for your space, as a rug that is too small or large for the room will not create the desired effect.
Finally, a reputable dealer will be able to repair your vintage persian rug if it is damaged. Rug repair is a complicated process and should only be handled by a qualified professional to ensure that the integrity of the rug is not compromised. It is important to note that the cost of repairing a Persian rug can sometimes be more expensive than purchasing a new, replacement rug. However, a good repair job can add more value to your rug than it would have otherwise lost.
