| The Magic Carpet Ride of Oriental Rug Buying |
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Decorators and interior designers often design the color, flow and furniture scheme of a room with a rug as the focal point. Because rugs can play such an important design function, we thought it would be helpful to take a look at the “Oriental” and “Persian” segment of the market and give you tips for selecting the right rug for you home. First, a bit of history and a few words about the terminology: So-called Oriental rugs have been woven of home-grown, home-dyed and home-spun wool for over 1000 years, initially by nomadic or semi-nomadic Turkic peoples as they followed their flocks from pasture to pasture. Ultimately, the makers of such rugs ranged all the way from the Caucasus, through the steppes of central Asia and south to Iran (Persia), Pakistan, and eventually, as the Mongol, Persian and Mughal Empires spread, to China, and ultimately to India. From the very beginning, the rugs were highly prized – not just for their utilitarian value - and for the durability, comfort and luxury they provided - but for their aesthetic value - exactly as they are to this day. Thus, the term “oriental rug” has come to encompass an enormous number of very distinct styles – everything from the classic “tribal” patterns of the Caucasus to equally distinctive and increasingly luxurious “regional” styles, like the Bokharas of Bukkara and Pakistan and the middle-eastern and “Persian-style” Kirmans, Sarouks, Sultanabads, and Tabriz rugs, to Chinese and Indian productions. None of these rugs are inexpensive - although in recent years prices have been coming down quite a lot. And a really good rug, please note, will last several lifetimes. (Please note too that we are only talking here about hand-made rugs, made from natural wool and/or silk, and NOT about the many varieties of machine-made rugs in “oriental style” that are meant to be used-up and eventually thrown away.) The best “oriental rugs” are true luxury items - with added potential as “collectibles”- and will, accordingly, be fairly pricey. So it will really pay you to do some homework before you acquire an Oriental rug. Here are some tips to get you going: To Start, Have A Measure of Restraint Get a Good Fix on the Size You’re Looking ForIf you're shopping for a dining room rug, know the size of the table; you don't want your chairs falling off the edge of the rug when you back up from the table. For stair runners, count the number of risers (each step has a riser and tread). Most new rugs come in sizes from 2'x3' to 10'x14'—although some come in larger sizes. Runners are typically 30 inches wide. If you are just looking for an area rug, take down the dimensions of your furniture and the approximate size you would like to cover. Always leave yourself some wiggle room in case you find the perfect rug in a size that’s a little bigger, or smaller than you anticipated. Consider A Color SchemeConventional wisdom says that decorating a room should start with the Oriental rug. After all, there are infinite choices in fabrics and paints and a well-chosen Oriental rug will outlast most everything else in the room. Well and fine, and great advice if you are starting from scratch. More often than not, however, a rug is being chosen for an existing space with established color and style—so it's very important to carry samples with you. Taking a photo of the rooms is also helpful. There are more colors and designs in Oriental rugs to choose from than ever before. What Comes Next? When it comes to true antique Oriental or Persian rugs, the sky could be the limit in terms of price if you desire a larger and well maintained original with “investment quality.” For most people though, a more modern example will do the trick and be more friendly to you wallet. But, buyers beware! Don't be fooled by huge markdowns or deep discounts like "50%", "60%" or even "90%" off. Most such rugs were “marked-up” for the sole purpose of luring you with those big markdowns! Truly high quality rugs, especially those fairly priced to begin with, don’t need to be liquidated at fire-sale prices. Deals that seem too good to be true usually are. Be aware too that newer rugs can be and often are “treated” by unscrupulous dealers to appear, to the non-expert, to be valuable “antiques” or “semi-antiques”. Similarly, poor quality older rugs are often “repaired” to look much better than they really are. Sometimes, believe it or not, bald or faded spots are doctored up with magic markers, that will fool the eye of a quick or casual buyer – at least ‘til the rug-man has moved on. But also be aware that almost every genuine antique or semi-antique rug has had some repairs, due to normal wear, and will almost certainly need additional, ideally minor repairs in the future. All the more reasons, we advise, to buy only from a respected dealer. Buying Checklist 1. Quality – As a general rule, a rug’s weave should be fine enough to clearly express the motifs of the design. A bold geometric design may have less than 100 knots per square inch while a detailed floral pattern may require 300 or more. While tightness and regularity of weave are important, the quality of the wool determines the resilience and lasting patina of a rug. The quality and fastness of the dyes are also important. Keep in mind that hand knotted originals will carry substantially higher values when found in good condition.
5. Buy From A Reputable Store – Before you buy from a particular dealer, make sure you know their reputation. Buy from a dealer who has been around - and who will be around to deal with questions and concerns you may have down the road. Don’t buy at those traveling rug auctions unless you are an expert – or unless you pay so little you won’t be upset if the rug quickly fades, tears or begins to fall apart. Many fine rug dealers offer cleaning and restoration services. (Fine oriental rugs should never be cleaned with commercial solvents, and tears, spills or worn patches should be attended to immediately). Some dealers will have a trade-in policy on the rugs they sell. The best dealers will allow you to try the rug in your home for a few days, something that’s essential, we’d advise, if you’re making a major purchase or if the rug will be a centerpiece of your decorating scheme, as a good oriental rug should be. |
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