Centuries ago, rug producing regions made distinctive floor designs more for feet to tread on than for fashionable flair. While Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, Western China, and India viewed these carefully crafted creations as usable, today oriental rugs have grown into a class of collectibles as relevant as precious paintings and other works of art. Skilled appraisers aid the carpet collecting community by determining the value of oriental rugs, cleaning companies and carpet connoisseurs specialize in the maintenance and restoration of rugs, and even organizations like ACOR (American Conference on Oriental Rugs) help spread and spur their interest and knowledge to rug enthusiasts.

History:

There are few surviving examples of the earliest forms of these rugs known as knotted carpets. Tracing back, the earliest piece found was the Pazyryk or Altai rug. Discovered by a Soviet archaeologist in 1949, the rug dates back to the fifth century BC. Historically, oriental rugs upheld traditional symbols of holiness and royalty. For this reason, the rugs were predominantly found in churches and royal court workshops. It was not until the late seventeenth century that oriental rugs found their way to the American colonies. At this time they were solely seen in the homes of the most wealthy and prestigious families that had settled there. It was not until the eighteenth century that the benefit of owning one of these pieces began to transform from functional into fashionable. Owners began adorning tabletops with small rugs and using them as wall hangings. With their popularity blooming, the nineteenth century prompted European scholars to study the styles and research the roots of these rugs. In the second half of this century, the dye process and materials underwent a radical evolution to speed up the production and meet the demands of people eager to purchase oriental rugs. Today the process is formatted in a standardized style, but there are still many aspects of weaving that have remained unaltered.

Before You Buy:

Due to the diverse and widespread regions that oriental rugs were birthed from, there are several different types of rugs available. A true oriental rug, for the purposes of definition, is a hand-woven piece made out of natural materials and fibers like wool, silk, or camel hair and colored by a variety of dyestuffs. Machine made rugs are more commonly referred to as “oriental-design”. Rugs consisting of oriental design can still be valuable pieces, but are unlikely to appreciate in worth. Buyers should always ask the salesperson some important questions.

“Where was the rug made?” The origin of a rug can significantly affect its value. It is important to find out what weaving district the rug was woven in to determine the availability of similar pieces. The rarity of similar types, styles, designs, or formats can increase the value of certain rugs. It is also important to know if the style and design of the rug symbolize something unique. Particular regions made special prayer rugs or pieces devoted to royal members in society. The aesthetics that celebrate and elaborate traditional design can play a part in the value of a rug. Technical qualities, like knot density and yarn quality can also increase a rug’s value. A buyer should be well aware of a rug’s origin in order to determine the potential value and appreciation of their purchase.

“What materials and dyes are used in the rug?” Silk is one of the most expensive materials used in the creation of these carpets. The luster and intricacy of silk-laden rugs makes them resilient and open to absorb the most colorful dyes. Rugs made with natural dyes will be more valuable than those colored by synthetic dyes. Due the age of many collectible carpets, colors are often worn out or faded, which is fine. But it is best if the colors are not bleeding and that accent pieces, like the fringe, are not frayed.

“What is the condition of the rug?” Stains and tears will depreciate the value of your purchase. Buyers should check the edges to make sure that they are good condition. In addition, mildew and moth damage can have an effect on a rug’s worth. If there were damages that have been repaired, buyers should have the salesperson point out these spots. The buyer should closely and carefully examine this portion of the rug to see how it has been repaired and how skillfully this was done.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

Once a rug has been purchased, the commitment to owning one of these collectibles does not end with the answers to the above and a payment to the salesperson. There is a great deal of material and many professionals and crafts people that are devoted to the conservation and cleaning of these precious pieces. Rugs should be cleaned annually by a cleaning company that has an in-plant cleaning machine. Many cleaners will offer a steam machine that can only slightly rinse rugs. It is essential that the company has a dusting machine. This piece of equipment sends the rug through upside while hitting the back of it with leather straps. The dusting machine has the capability of removing up 4-9 lbs. of dry dirt per 9 x 12 carpet.

An owner should also be prepared to extract dirt on regular basis within the home. Daily vacuuming utilizing a pile lifting machine can protect your rugs while eliminating dirt. This vacuum has two brushes, one which stands the carpet’s pieces upright and the other that pulls out the dirt particles from in between and underneath the bunches. The protection of rugs is crucial to their preservation and appreciation.

Current Trends:

Past centuries viewed these pieces as purely functional, while the future saw them as fashionable. The latest trend in carpet creations is blending these two elements to create a practical piece donned with all of luxury of an oriental classic. New Moon designs by John Kurtz has married these two elements with his latest collection of hand-woven rugs. Kurtz’s collection features the strength and reliability of tightly woven fine wool combined with small amounts of lavish silk. These traces of silk add shimmer and shine to a durable base bringing the prominence of the past and the practicality of the present together.

While many homeowners today buy oriental rugs to simply to adorn their homes, there are also many collectors whose interest runs much deeper. Whatever the motivation for making the choice to purchase an oriental rug, there are seemingly unlimited resources, materials, and options out there to make this acquisition educational and enjoyable.