How to Identify the Qualities of a Persian Rug

Weave density, dye quality and design are all factors in evaluating a Persian rug.

Carpet-weaving is an ancient art form, and the best Persian rugs are handmade. There has always been a high demand for them among the wealthy, but they are pricey, so the not-so-wealthy sometimes have to settle for factory-made replicas. There are qualities that distinguish the most valuable handmade rugs, and significant differences between handmade and factory-produced ones. Not surprisingly, the best handmade rugs are the ones made from the best materials and with the most intricate designs, and there are several ways to identify them and distinguish them from factory-made copies.

Instructions

1. Compare the pattern on the rug with samples in online carpet stores or books to identify the design. It will help you determine the country or region of origin and may also help you determine the age. Both are important factors in appraising the rug's value.

2. Look for muted or faded colors. They signify that the weaver probably dyed the material with natural vegetable dyes and are a good indication that the rug is handmade. Factories often use synthetic dyes, which are brighter, more artificial-looking and include colors impossible to achieve with natural dyes, such as bright purple, orange or blue.

3. Turn the rug over and examine the weaving pattern. If the rug is handmade, it will be irregular and you may see knots, whereas the weave on a factory-made rug will be completely regular. Depending on the rug material, the weave of a very high-quality handmade rug may be regular enough to resemble that of a factory-made one, but you should be able to spot one or two imperfections.

4. Place a ruler on the back of the rug and count the number of knots in a 6-inch interval. Divide the number by six to get the number of knots per square inch (kpsi). If the rug is handmade, the kpsi is an important determinant of its value. The general rule is that the higher the kpsi, the more the rug is worth. Counting the kpsi also helps determine the rug material. Silk rugs typically have a much higher kpsi than woolen ones, which aren't worth as much.

5. Examine the carpet for signs of wear, including worn piling and fraying around the edges. These represent a depreciation in its value. But they're are also a sign of age and may mean the carpet is an antique. Evidence that the carpet has been repaired indicates a higher-value handmade rug, since owners of factory-made replicas seldom repair them.

6. Look for a signature rendered on the border in Arabic script. This identifies the carpet as a one-of-a-kind piece of art. It is less meaningful, however, if other evidence indicates the carpet came from a factory.

Tips & Warnings

• Because of the proliferation of factory-made Persian rugs on the world market that closely resemble handmade ones, it is more important than ever to have yours evaluated by a professional if you think it is valuable.

• Carpets are made for walking upon, but a valuable one should be on the wall or at least in a part of the room that doesn't get much traffic if you want it to keep its value.

References

• This Old House; How to Choose an Oriental Rug; Steve Boodakian
• The Rug Gallery: Area Rugs -- How They Are Made
• Bukhara Carpets: Types of Persian City Rugs