Rug connoisseurs will understand the weight of the fact of whether a Turkish rug is real or not. There are many scams and dupes out there that can make you waste your money. So, you have to be careful when buying area oriental rugs. Here is how to ensure you buy a genuine Turkish rug.
Spotting A Real Turkish Rug
Check The Knot Count
The first thing that can indicate whether a Turkish rug is real is the knot count of the rug. The knot count is the number of knots in a square inch of a rug. This is important to figure out because you want to know whether the rug was crafted by hand and meticulously or if it was all the work of a machine.
The knot count of the rug can be easily determined by looking at the back of the rug. You want to count the rug knots in one square inch of a rug and that shouldn’t take you too long, because one square inch isn’t a lot of space and you’ll be done in no time. The higher the knot count the better quality the rug is and the higher the chances of it being a real handmade rug.
The Quality Of The Rug Matters
The quality of a real Turkish rug speaks for itself. When you look at a real Turkish rug and feel it under your hands, you’ll know that it is the real thing. The material, the feel of the knots, and the irregularity in the texture are all signs of a rug being handmade and real.
If a rug feels too perfect then that is probably because it’s crafted by looms and machines and you don’t want to waste your time on those. So, whenever you’re out looking for a real Turkish rug, remember to keep your eyes and other senses peeled for looking at these tiny details.
The Price Will Speak For Itself
As much as you don’t want to hear this, it’s true. A true and authentic Turkish rug will cost you a lot and will thin your wallet out. Turkish rugs, especially beautiful ones, are not going to be cheap and if they are, then they’re not the real thing.
So, the higher the price, the better the rug quality. Handmade rugs are always considered to be pricey, because of the way they’re made. A lot of time and energy is spent on crafting these rugs, so they are going to be a bit expensive, but they’re worth it in the end.
Material From Which Rugs Are Made
The materials from which Turkish rugs are made are also key indicators in figuring out whether a rug is real or not. Turkish rugs are usually available in wool and silk varieties, and sometimes in cotton, but wool is the most used material to make these things of beauty.
So, if you don’t see a Turkish rug made out of wool, then you might want to steer clear of it because chances are that they’re not the real deal and you’re probably getting duped. Only look for Turkish rugs made out of wool, and you’ll be good to go.
The Weaving Technique Of Turkish Rugs
The weaving technique of Turkish rugs also says a lot about the rug and its legitimacy. There are mainly two weaving techniques that are common in Turkish rugs. One is called the Senneh knot which is asymmetrical in appearance and can be seen very clearly. Whereas, the other is called the Gördes knot and that is symmetrical and straight in appearance.
These knots are characteristic of Turkish rugs and they’re the most sought-after knots in Turkish rugs. So, when you’re looking at rugs, then make sure that you know the knotting technique and how to spot it.
Keep An Eye On The Design
The design of the rug also say a lot about the authenticity of a Turkish rug. The finer and more detailed the pattern or embroidery is, the higher the chances are that the rug is handmade and hand-knotted.
This is important to consider because some patterns can also give away the actual way a rug is made and you want to go for a rug that is authentic and real through and through. This will not only save you from getting scammed, but you’ll be able to identify other area rugs similarly too.
The Color Of The Rug
If you didn’t know this already, the color of Turkish rugs can also be a dead giveaway whether the rug is real or not. Authentic Turkish rugs are dyed with colors derived from fruits, vegetables, plants, and even insects so the color is extremely potent and it doesn’t bleed at all, even after you’ve washed it.
But if the color is not as bright and potent and its staining water or wet rags, then you better believe that the rug isn’t real because the colors of Turkish rugs don’t fade away.
Where You Get The Rug From
The place where you get the rug from is also very crucial. It can be a retailer or a rug store that deals with Turkish rug, but it should never be an online marketplace or forum because that will mostly be a dupe, 9 times out of 10.
If you want to ensure that you’re getting your hands on a real Turkish rug, then you need to research the right stores and authentic rug sellers. Only then you will get your hands on a rug that will last you a long time. You will get your money’s worth and everything will turn out perfectly in the end.
What About Antique Rugs?
If you’re a fan of antique rugs and want to get an antique Turkish rug, then you need to understand that it will be worn a bit and the condition will be a bit old, but not weary entirely. Antique rugs can be a bit hard to get, but if you know the right places to look, then you’ll find something that you will love and use for years to come.
Try to scout out stores that sell a variety of antique rugs and you will find Turkish variety there too, so that should be your first spot.
The Overall Appearance
The way a real Turkish rug looks makes all of the difference. It looks refined, it looks bright and vibrant and it also looks rugged and handmade. There is something about the look of real Turkish rugs that is out of this world and you need to master the art of looking for details in handmade rugs because those will ensure that you’re getting the right thing for yourself.
Also, you can tell that a rug is handmade or machine-made by looking at them side by side. Handmade rugs look imperfect yet beautiful. This quality is not present in machine-made rugs. Research more on handmade vs machine-made rugs and then you will be able to tell which is which.
Conclusion
Turkish rugs are beautiful and they’re also pretty expensive, but you need to be careful when searching for authentic rugs because things can go downhill if you’re not too careful. To be on the safe side, only choose reputable online stores that offer high-quality traditional rugs VA.
