Antique rugs are rugs that have been around for hundreds of years. While they might look beaten up, they are not only of high quality, they also give your home a unique, elegant look. When buying the units you need to follow a set of rules that include:
Buy from a reputable oriental rug store
This is probably the most important thing that you should do. Since the rugs are expensive, you need to take your time and research the reputable rug stores in your area. You can also research and find reputable online rug stores. You should visit these stores and inspect the rugs that they stock.
Buy genuine antique rugs
Due to the high value of the rugs, there are some unscrupulous business people that might try selling you fake rugs. To buy the right units you should take your time when making the purchase. One of the things that you should look out for when buying the unit is the making of the rug. Is the rug hand or machine made? Before parting with your money you should know that there is no antique unit that is machine made. To know whether that the rug is machine made or handmade you only need to look at its back. If the rug’s design is smooth, the rug is definitely machine made and you should stay away from it.
Another thing that you should look out for is the rug patterns and designs. Persian rugs have one of the four layout patterns: central medallion, compartment, all-over and one-sided layout. If a rug has any other layout, it’s a fake. The place of origin is another important factor that will help you know whether the rug is antique or not. You should note that all antique units are made from Persia. If you come across a rug from any other place, it’s not antique. Persian antique rugs have different motifs that vary depending on the region of origin. Popular origins of the rugs include: Kerman, Tabriz, Kashan, and Herat.
Pay close attention to the condition of the Persian antique rug
Since the rug is antique, it has been used before; therefore, there is no reason you should expect it to look new. A real antique unit should have a beaten up look. In some cases, the rug might need some restoration. If you come across a rug that has a new look, it’s definitely a fake.