How to Evaluate Oriental Rugs Before Buying

Count the number of knots per square inch. Turn over the rug and count the number of knots from the back to front. Also count the number of knots in 1 inch vertically and horizontally. By multiplying the two amounts, you will determine the number of knots per square inch. Take sample measurements to figure an average because knot density can vary, especially when hand-woven.

Rugs with more than 380 knots per square inch generally have a higher value. Those with less than 210 knots per square inch generally are of low value. Rugs with values falling between these amounts could be considered of medium value.

Inspect the materials used to make the rug. Silk warp and weft threads, or the backing, along with silk pile threads, form rugs of the highest value. Generally speaking, rugs with silk as one component will be a higher value than those predominantly featuring wool. Oriental rugs with wool as the main design component are higher in value than rugs made of cotton.

Evaluate the extent of the design in proportion to the background. The less decorated the background, the less value the rug has. Also evaluate the intricacy of the design and whether or not it is well-executed. If a row of motifs are not identical, it can be a sign that the rug was hand-knotted, assuming the quality of the other evaluating factors holds up to scrutiny. Rugs made with designs that are easily executed or duplicated do not have as much value as rugs made with more complex designs.

Judge the value and tone of the colors used in the rug. An Oriental rug with nine or more distinct colors has the highest value, especially when the colors are blended in such as way that no single color dominates the design. The effect might be that of an impressionist painting or of a jewel with a subtle glow. The fewer colors used, the less value of the rug.

Find out how old the rug is, if possible. Authentic Oriental rugs in good condition and more than 100 years old will have the highest value. Although a brand-new rug has intrinsic value, its age is not a factor when figuring the overall value of the rug.

Evaluate the general physical condition, including wear and tear, of the rug. An Oriental rug is considered to be in perfect condition if it has no holes, worn spots or repairs. The pile will be like new, with fringes and borders still present. A rug that retains less than an 1/8th of an inch of pile, even if a small amount remains, has relatively little value. A basic quality rug should should show wear evenly across the surface, with no stains, and the design still must be clear and evident.