Antique rugs are stunning works of art that can add style and comfort to your home. Buying one can be a canny investment too; just don’t forget to update your contents insurance. But where to start? Well, first things first, it’s worth getting an appreciation of the different types of antique rug on the market.
The Persians have been making rugs for nearly 2,500 years and it is the home of the original oriental carpet. As valued possessions and family heirlooms, Persian (now Iranian) carpets are amongst the finest examples around. Caucasian rugs are known for their incricate designs and typically come from the Azerbaijan area. Turkish rugs feature geometric patterns and are made from natural materials such as wool and silk which are very durable, whilst Oriental rugs tend to feature traditional Chinese scenes.
Age
The oldest rug ever discovered dates back to the fifth century BC, although it is thought rug production began in earnest around 600 years ago. Greater age usually equates to greater value; rugs that are older than 50 years are considered semi-antique, rugs that are older than 100 years are antique. Beware of antique-washing techniques which are designed to make rugs look older than they are.
Condition
The more vivid the colour, the more desirable the rug is likely to be, and therefore the higher the value. With aged rugs it is likely that some fading or wear will have occurred. The more worn and damaged the rug, the more its value is likely to be eroded.
Quality
The type of knot and number of knots in a rug are indicative of its quality and authenticity. The knots refer to how the pile is twisted around the yarn; the Persian technique is asymmetric knots whilst the Turkish style uses symmetrical knots. A higher knot density generally indicates more work has gone into the rug, which gives it a higher value.
Country of Origin
Currently Persian rugs from the cities of Sarouk, Herez and Sarapi are rare and sought after, and go for sizable sums of money. Whilst the Oriental rugs are less fashionable at present, they may represent a wiser investment for the future as fine examples are available at reasonable prices.
By Lucille Groutadge
Lucille Groutadge writes a number of insurance related articles, including those on contents insurance
