One of the best ways to decipher a quality rug is to be among many of them. By far the most easily recognized rugs in the world, Oriental and Persian rugs come from all over the continent of Asia. Check the back of the rug ; Look at the fringe of the rug ; The back of the rug can be a dead giveaway. The rug is usually woven upon the wefts and held together by the warps. Authentic Oriental rugs sold in America will likely be produced in Pakistan, India, Iran, or Afghanistan. Indian and Chinese Rugs are contemporary area rugs. 50 years old seems like a very old rug to a lot people I’m sure, but for a guy that collects Oriental rugs or rugs in general, that is pretty new for rug collecting. Using an Authentic Rug … How a rug is made depends on the size of the rug and the density of the knots. Fringe is often sewed onto machine-made rugs as an accent piece but is unnecessary to the successful production of a machine-made rug. You may see some areas slightly thicker than others. Since antique rugs vary in quality, and tastes are changing in terms of decorating with antiques, which impacts demand, it's almost impossible for the average individual to research the true value of an antique rug on their own. Determine the carpet's style by consulting an encyclopedia of Persian carpets. The rug industry can be confusing to the average consumer -- it’s riddled with opaque pricing, unclear quality standards, and very savvy salespeople. Take a look at our Authentication Process if you have arrived at this page without prior knowledge of our Rug Rag Verifications. Thus, the backside of an Oriental rug should show a natural, unbroken transition from the rug’s knots to its fringed warp threads. How to Identify an Authentic Navajo Rug. Machine Made rug back (Below) – fringe is sewn and glued on and glue is visible. A well-made rug becomes an instant family heirloom you can pass on through the generations. 4 Basic Photos Needed to Determine Authentic Persian Rugs and Oriental Carpets. Here’s a quick guide to the most common types of rugs, and how to tell the difference. Although it can be somewhat simple to identify the general region that a rug comes from, it can be harder to determine specifically where in that region a rug was made. A high-quality rug has a thin pile, vibrant hues, and a high knot count. How to make a better decision when buying rugs! Hand knotted rugs are made on a specially designed loom and are knotted by hand. You can also see a clear pattern of the carpet on the underside of a handmade rug. Cut a single knot. The following steps will help you to tell if a Persian rug is authentic, for a more in depth guide see our post on How to Identify an Authentic Oriental Rug.. Look for knots of different sizes or threads that are not perfectly linear and you’ll know you are looking at the real thing. There are two easy ways to identify whether a rug is handmade or not. Art Deco rugs have strong geometric images that were popular in the 1920s and 1930s. On a handmade rug, the binding may not as uniform or clean. In the article above we tried to give you pointers for figuring how old your rugs are. Sam: A contemporary rug is a confusing term when it comes to rugs because it just means it’s more of a modern rug it’s, I would say, anything from basically 10 years old to 50 years old would be considered a contemporary rug. When looking closely at the design, the pattern will most likely be uneven in authentic Persian rugs. Because there are so many types and styles of rugs, it can be difficult to identify an authentic Oriental rug against a sea of machine-made products. This can only be done with a rug you own, but one way to tell if a rug is silk or cotton is to snip off a small piece from the edge of a piece of fringe, and run it quickly through a flame. If you see anywhere on the rug of your interest that it says “hand tufted” then it’s not hand knotted. You can see that the foundation of the rug becomes the fringe from the place the knots end. How To Tell Ages By The Type Of Rug. Many people are under the misconception that all types of oriental rugs are old. 4. • Any rug that falls within the 30 to 99-year range is considered ‘Semi-Antique’. These rugs are painstakingly woven over months and even years. The knots should not look completely uniform. Do you know how to tell a genuine Oriental rug from a fake one? Valuing antique rugs is a slippery slope according to Omri Schwartz of Nazmiyal.com, a business specializing in fine antique rugs in New York City. Take for example Pakistani rugs. In addition, you can actually distinguish the individual knots when you look at the back of the rug. So when you see the lines, it’s 90 degrees the other way when you see a machine-made woven compared to a handmade. Learning To Tell How Old A Rug Is. But it is important to take all of what we wrote with a gain of salt. Once you’ve inspected the rug yourself, it’s important to ask the rug retailer more about the rug to assess its quality and authenticity. The Rug Binding - In my opinion, this is where you are really able to tell if the fringe is giving you trouble. Our customers should learn the difference between valuable rugs and replaceable retail merchandise, because we want our rug cleaning service to be worth your time and budget. When rugs are knotted by hand, each knot is based on a set of foundational warp threads, and these warp threads naturally and necessarily form the rug’s fringe. For instance, a 40-by-60-inch table should be paired with at least an 8-by-10-foot rug but would work best with a 9-by-12-foot rug. Synthetic rugs don’t last as long as a wool rug, but they last several years. 4. Very rarely will the design be exactly the same size and shape from one end to opposite end of the rug. • Rugs that are between 10 and 50 years old are considered ‘Semi-Old’. Shop Oriental Rugs. One-of-a-kind oriental rugs can take excessive time, skill and effort to produce. Once you know how to identify a handmade rug, identifying the type of rug you are dealing with is the next step. We’re breaking it down for you today with this simple examination that you can do right now from home. It is our job to educate our customers about the rugs they want us to evaluate and this is what our staff has been trained to do. Revered by both collectors as well as humble admirers, a Persian rug is a statement of style; a chic domestic accessory that offers more than simply a floor covering, but instead a work of art, and one of the finest of all oriental rugs. It is our job to educate our customers about the rugs they want us to evaluate and this is what our staff has been trained to do. Valuing antique rugs is a slippery slope according to Omri Schwartz of Nazmiyal.com, a business specializing in fine antique rugs in New York City. An authentic, hand-knotted Oriental rug will also have necessary fringe. Hand knotted, handmade, hand tied or handwoven rugs can also be known as Oriental rugs or Persian rugs and considered collectible due to their quality. Some are smaller while the others are larger. On the topside, fold the carpet, revealing the tufts. The difference will not only tell you how your rug was made but ultimately how valuable it is. If the tag says it’s made of any synthetic material -- such as acrylic, rayon, olefin, or polyester -- it’s not an authentic Oriental rug. If your oriental rugs possess a backside clearly shows that fringe was sewn on as an addition to the rug, it is not an authentic Oriental rug. You can tell by just flipping the rug on its back. On a machine made rug, the binding on the end will be straight and very uniform. You should be able to see each individual and unique knots in chobi rugs -- for example, it should look something like a hand-knitted scarf, with slightly varying sizes and textures of each knot. For years I had a seagrass rug under my table. A machine made rug may also feel like it has a hard plastic backing. How to tell a genuine Navajo rug from a fake. In contrast, the production style machine-made rugs doesn’t require fringe. An authentic Oriental rug will likely be made of pure wool (although some authentic Oriental rugs contain some silk or cotton) and dyed with all-natural, vegetable-based dyes. Where you can get an amazing idea by our professionals. When it comes to using area rugs in your home, there are some important rules to remember. The main characteristics of a rug from these regions include: • Paisley designs or central rosettes and medallions• Symmetry in the design• Borders featuring medallions• Either a bound edge or fringe• Ivory, black, red, and blue shades• Either a flat or a high pile. Picture 2 – Handmade rug back – White knots are part of rugs foundation, edge is not perfectly straight and fringe is not sewn on which is easier to tell from the back. It’s like a boyfriend vs a husband. The weaving process of rug production is a skilled art form which has been around for thousands of years. We have listed all the red flags you need to notice while buying oriental rugs. For this reason, the sky is the limit when it comes to the possible price of a high-quality rug. Some real silk rugs can have as little as 200 knots per square inch, but the general rule is that the higher the knot count, the more likely it is that the rug is silk. You’ll be able to asses whether a rug is an authentic Oriental rug or not by looking at the rug’s backside. When you turn your rug over you will see many little squares of color on the back. The fringe of a hand-knotted rug is not an addition to the rug, rather it’s an extension of the foundation of the rug. However, countries of origin like Persia, India, China, Egypt and Afghanistan, do offer significantly cheaper handmade Oriental rugs at a fraction of the price at which they are offered in Canada and other parts of North America. How to tell the difference between a hand made and a machine made rug: To an untrained eye it is difficult to tell the difference between hand made, hand knotted, and machine made rugs. But it is important to take all of what we wrote with a gain of salt. Scandinavian Rugs. Maybe you are looking to buy a rug and want to know how to identify rugs that might be fake. An authentic, hand-knotted Oriental rug’s backside should reveal a slightly less saturated but otherwise identical pattern to its front. Additionally, if you want to date a rug, a great way to do that is consider the dye. This is especially true in older Oriental rugs. While the majority of oriental rug types that are available are indeed very old, there are several types of rugs that originated in this century. The reason is that dating rugs is not an exact science and sadly, most pieces were not dated when they were made. In Old Turkish rugs, unlike any other in the area, the threads were not twisted. Check the front of the rug. Is the fringe sewn on or glued on? It is in fact rather sewn onto the rug after the rug is completed. One of the easiest ways to tell the authenticity of a rug is to flip it and check the back. Navajo rugs feature a tight, flat weave and commonly have colors of black, brown, ivory, red, and sometimes blue. This style of rug weaving has origins dating back over two thousand years. Identifying Your Rug. In Old Turkish rugs, unlike any other in the area, the threads were not twisted. Art Nouveau rugs have designs that were popular during the 1890s through 1910, including nature motifs and fluid lines. The rug’s backing will reveal hints about how the rug was made, and should also have a tag with details about the rug’s size, material, production country, and knot count. Reliable Oriental rug dealers should be able to tell you where the rug was produced (and possibly where it was finished and cleaned), how it was made, what materials were used, and what its knot count is. 4 Basic Photos Needed to Determine Authentic Persian Rugs and Oriental Carpets. If a rug’s backside is too smooth, too perfect, and looks like it was woven by a machine, it’s not an authentic hand-knotted Oriental piece. An antique rug’s uniqueness, intricacy and complexity is only limited to its creator’s imagination. The design shows through on the back of a rug thanks to the hand-knotting that these authentic rugs feature when made. In the article above we tried to give you pointers for figuring how old your rugs are. Diving deeper into the history of rug making can take many years of education, but this guide can get you started on the basics of identifying a rug’s origin. The pattern on the backside of the rug should be identical to the front. This is a very important tell of a handmade area rug. The reason is that dating rugs is not an exact science and sadly, … The design tells all when it comes to finding an authentic oriental rug. The rug is not hand knotted. The design will also never be the same shape or size from one end of the rug to another. So how can you tell what your rug might be worth? Synthetic dyes were not used until after the late 1860s, so if a rug has natural dye, it could be much older. Take a look at our Authentication Process if you have arrived at this page without prior knowledge of our Rug Rag Verifications. Choosing the Best Rug Color for Your Space, Right Methods to Cleaning Different Material of Rugs, The Benefits of Using Professional Disinfection Services, Tips for Disinfecting Your Home During Quarantine. There are many kinds of rugs that came into existence only in this century. Countries such as Turkey, Tibet, and a handful of others may also be the production source of an authentic Oriental rug, but these countries generally produce lower volumes. How a rug is made is often something that is mentioned in a description of a piece. A well-made rug becomes an instant family heirloom you can pass on through the generations. Persian rugs are one of the oldest and most sought-after rugs on the market today. The Back of Hand Knotted Area Rugs When you turn the rug over to see its back, you will see foundation threads which are usually white, blue or red. And those materials will often feel stiffer than natural wool. If the weaving and the knots are not perfectly uniform, you know it is a handmade rug. Don’t worry you will be immediately able to tell the difference. One of the best ways to decipher a quality rug is to be among many of them. • Rugs that are between 20 and 99 years of age are called ‘Old’. Don’t confuse hand-tufted with handmade. If there are knots that are different sizes and doesn’t naturally align with the pattern then it is the real deal. How to Tell a Quality Rug From a Cheap One. If you want a rug that will hold its value, you must seek out a good quality piece at the start of your investment, here are a few tips that will help you identify the age of your kilim rug. American-made rugs are as varied as the country itself, but some of the most common motifs include: • Navajo motifs, which feature geometric designs in earthy colors, with a very tight and flat weave.• Art Deco motifs, which feature geometric patterns that were popular during the 1920s and 1930s.• Art Nouveau rugs, which tend to feature floral or nature elements, and designs from the 1890s to the 1910s. A good way to tell if your Persian or Oriental rug is a fake is to examine how uniform the patterns on the backside of the rug appear. Navajo rug . Genuine ancient rugs were made from vegetable dyes and over the years they will have naturally worn out. Most manufactured rugs will have a tag telling you about the types of materials used. Do you know how to tell if your antique area rug is hand-knotted or machine-made? If you can see that is has been sewn to the rug then you know the rug is genuine. Note that higher knot counts result in a more dense, plush rug (and thus a higher price). You should also look at the coat. Determine an authentic Navajo rug from a reproduction Navajo rug. An authentically handmade item is never going to match the uniformity that machines offer. A true hand-knotted Oriental rug’s backside should also have a tag or sticker stating details about the rug. All comments are moderated before being published, (301) 660-7046‬ Our customers should learn the difference between valuable rugs and replaceable retail merchandise, because we want our rug cleaning service to be worth your time and budget. Determine an authentic Navajo rug from a reproduction Navajo rug. Here’s a great example: One way to distinguish an Old Turkish rug from other rugs in the same Asian region is by looking at the wool weft threads. If … When the backside of a rug looks too perfect and uniform, you can almost guarantee that a machine wove that rug. So you have a beautiful oriental rug that adds the perfect amount of charm to your room, but did you know that there are tell-tale signs that can help you identify fake oriental rugs. The rug’s backside will be completely smooth and show signs of perfection if it is made with a machine instead of hand-knotted. Kind of Rug:-To determine the age correctly, it is important to know the exact type of rug. Synthetic rugs do have a drawback; they are bad for high traffic areas. Now look at the front of the rug. We also have published the article on Things You Should Consider before buying cheap rugs online. Ask the person selling the rug what the knot count is. Another way to tell a fine rug from a low-quality one is from the irregularities that appear in the textile. Now take a … If you want to be confident that you're choosing the right area rug size for your dining room table, simply add at least 60 inches to the length and the width of your table to get your ideal rug size. But how many people really know what that means? How to tell a "good" Oriental Rug From a "Bad" One. There are cases where that is not always true, but for the Masses, that’s usually very true and you can find the differences. This is not entirely true. Home » Blog » Oriental Rugs » How to Identify a Rugs Origin. Every knot in genuine Oriental rugs should be meticulously tied by hand. Most feature geometric designs. Should you wish to have free information regarding a rug online, either request the seller be in contact with us, or take the link to our Rug Rag Forum. If not, then you need to read this article since otherwise you will easily be fooled by Oriental rug sellers and in … Info@Rugknots.com. A rug’s character is revealed in its backside. Navajo rugs are highly sought-after hand-woven textiles that can command a high price. Area rugs are a terrific alternative to wall-to-wall carpet, namely because they're easier to remove and clean. Quality Oriental rug dealers are comparable to trusted art dealers -- they should be invested, informed, and passionate about their products, because each product is high in quality and value. And if you have an authentic oriental rug, you’ll be able to see each individual knot, much like you can if you look closely on a knit sweater. You’ll be able to asses whether a rug is an authentic Oriental rug or not by looking at the rug’s backside. Mon - Fri10:00am - 6:00pm Use a magnifying glass to take a look at the rug. If the colors have smoothly degraded, the rug is most likely ancient. They're also less of a commitment, and it's easy to switch one out if you get bored or want to redecorate. A lot of times, a rug that’s not been abused and has been taken care of and stored properly is very hard to tell from a rug that’s a lot younger and not as old as that rug. Like for example, a Pakistani rug won’t be an antique as they started making rug after World War II. However, countries of origin like Persia, India, China, Egypt and Afghanistan, do offer significantly cheaper handmade Oriental rugs at a fraction of the price at which they are offered in Canada and other parts of North America. A machine made rug will have perfectly even and uniform knots, while a handmade rug will have slightly uneven and differentiated knots. The design on the backside should be close in resemblance to the design on the top of the rug. Learning how to identify your rug can help you learn a bit about its past, understand how to care for this type of antique, and even get a sense of its value. If a rug’s tag says it’s made somewhere in North America, South America, or Western Europe, it’s not an authentic Oriental rug. If a retailer is not able to supply this information, then it’s likely that he/she is not a reliable retailer (and thus it’s questionable whether he/she is selling authentic Oriental rugs). Read our tips below to learn how to identify authentic Oriental rugs, and become a more confident shopper. How to Tell if a Rug is Handmade. These tell-tale signs are how experts assess and inform owners of the rug’s worth. Traditional European rugs are typically woven, and feature a variety of characteristics including: • Almost any color of the rainbow• Asymmetrical designs and shapes• Abstract patterns• Muted gold, rose, and green colors especially• Flower motifs, but again, often more abstract than realistic• Flat or high pile. To test the quality of the cowhide rug once it arrives at your home, you can do the bunch test where you bunch the rug up and then let it fall out. Hand-knotted rugs … Additionally, if you want to date a … How to tell a genuine Navajo rug from a fake. However, we have found that so many of our clients have no idea how to tell the difference between a handmade rug made of wool, silk, or cotton and a machine-made rug made of wool, cotton, nylon, olefin, polyester, etc. Reliable Oriental rug dealers should be able to tell you where the rug was produced (and possibly where it was finished and cleaned), how it was made, what materials were used, and what its knot count is. This may not seem like the most appealing choice, but one of the most efficient ways to tell if your rug is handmade or not is by cutting loose a single knot. High quality rugs will fall out naturally without any wrinkles. However, handmade rugs have the rug foundation as its fringe. While an Oriental rug is very expensive, a machine made rug costs much less and is an alternative to expensive hand knotted or hand-woven rugs. The difference will not only tell you how your rug was made but ultimately how valuable it is. For round tables, add at least 60 inches to the diameter. So you have a beautiful oriental rug that adds the perfect amount of charm to your room, but did you know that there are tell-tale signs that can help you identify fake oriental rugs. How to tell a "good" Oriental Rug From a "Bad" One. Antique rugs provide a unique combination of beauty and history to any room. You can contact us in case of any queries, too! The foundation threads are called weft. For example, Turkish rugs have been made for centuries, and determining exactly what type of Turkish rug you have, and from what era, can be a little more challenging. Do you know how to tell a genuine Oriental rug from a fake one? • Any rug that is made within the last 10 years is usually termed ‘Used’. Most people have very little knowledge of the difference between genuine oriental hand knotted area rugs versus machine made rugs. But true Persian rugs use much higher quality materials. 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