A vintage Persian rug is not only a great addition to your home but also a great investment. However, there are some things you should check when you receive your vintage rug so that you can determine its value and whether or not it’s worth purchasing.
Check the Knots
The knots tied together in the foundation of the rug, called the Ghi knot (or symmetric knot) are what give it its tensile strength. A rug with well-made knots will be very durable and able to stand up to even the highest traffic areas in your home. The knot count is an indicator of how well made the knots are within the foundation of the rug, so this should be one of the initial things you check if you want to know more about a particular rug’s value. The higher number of knots per square inch, the greater chance that your vintage Persian rug will hold up well over time–if done correctly.
Check The Backing
The back of any rug is as important as the front. A rug’s backing should be solid and stitched down to keep it from unraveling over time. It might even be a good idea to cut away a corner or remove some stitches to give you a closer look at the backing and ensure that it is strong and well-stitched. If the rug’s foundation starts to come apart, then it will lose its value very quickly, even if the front is pristine. Check for stains or damage on the backside before deciding whether or not to purchase your Persian rug.
Check The Colors
Rugs without bright colors are more valuable than those with bright colors because vibrant hues rarely last through decades of wear and tear. Look for a vintage Persian rug in a muted color palette for the most investment potential–even if the front is in pristine condition, you might not want to purchase it for this reason alone.
Check for Artificial Aging
If you see a rug advertised as vintage but it is bright and clean, then more likely than not, the seller has used artificial aging on it to make it more attractive. You can find out whether or not an item has been artificially aged by checking for edges that have been singed to give them a weathered look. These may also be stained with tea or coffee and then allowed to dry in order to give the appearance of age.
Check The Weave Type
Ask yourself whether or not the weaves and knots on your rug are even and consistent throughout. If they aren’t, then it is likely that it was done by hand and thus more valuable than machine-made rugs. Handmade Persian rugs tend to worth more simply because of their intricacy and time invested into the process compared to machines.
Check The Fringe
While some people cut off, rather than fray, their fringes, it is typically less expensive to buy a vintage Persian with untouched fringes due to the fact that it lengthens the lifespan of the rug. When you are inspecting your prospective vintage Persian rug, make sure to check its fringes thoroughly to ensure they are still intact and not eaten away by moths or other bugs. If this is the case, then you might want to pass on purchasing it for this reason alone.