Before you decide to buy any rug either from us or elsewhere we recommend the following advice from Bonhams Auctioneers
Oriental rugs are one of the most sensual forms of fine art ever produced. Walk into any carpet showroom and see what I mean: suffused with rich color, elaborate design and luxurious textures, the Oriental rug almost begs to be unrolled, stroked and admired.
And while these lush carpets have long been associated with the palaces of pashas and estates of the elite, today's buyers can find stunning rugs at a wide variety of prices. Whether you are looking for that spectacular, one-of-a-kind showpiece to complete your collection or a smaller rug to add a touch of cozy character to your apartment, Oriental carpets are an investment that begins paying off the minute you welcome them into your home.
And, my clients tell me again and again, one thing is certain -- once you place a high-quality Oriental rug on your floor, you won't go back to modern carpets!
Of course, not all Oriental rugs are created equal, and selecting the best often takes time and practice. Some rugs are hand-tied wool and silk, while others are churned out by machines and may have synthetic fibers. The prices, too, can vary considerably -- ranging from a few hundred dollars for small, modern rugs to hundreds of thousands of dollars for the rarest pieces. Learning which rugs you like, and which are good investments, provides a glimpse into the history and culture of a swath of the globe stretching from Turkey through Persia and into India and China.
I tell my clients that there are four criteria when considering a carpet purchase - the age, quality of workmanship, country of origin, and overall condition. I'll tell you more about assessing each of these points in a bit. But make sure, whenever you see a rug you might like to buy, to keep these four points uppermost in your mind as you assess the piece's value.
From the lands of the magic carpet Oriental carpets have been a part of the social and economic fabric of the Near East and Central Asia for hundreds of years. While some of the earliest documented examples of such carpets date back to before the time of Christ -- the earliest knotted carpet still in existence, known as the Pazyryk or Altai rug, has been dated to the fifth century B.C. -- most experts say widespread production of carpets began in earnest about 600 years ago.
European exposure to the art of the Oriental rug began with the Crusaders, many of whom brought carpets back with them from their travels. Renaissance painters depicted Turkish, and later Persian, rugs in their artwork, using them to add a background of color and luxury to portraits of religious figures, nobility, and wealthy traders.
For many collectors, the apex of the art of carpet weaving is represented by the rugs produced for the royal court of Persia and India's Mogul Emperors in the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries. Produced in vast workshops in cities such as Timurid and Safavid in Persia (now known as Iran), Istanbul in Turkey, and Delhi and Agra in India, the best of these rugs are unparalleled in quality of workmanship, and sophisticated design.
But carpet weaving was not confined to workshops catering to the nobility. In towns and villages across the region, local weavers developed their own forms of knotted rugs -- creating a vast array of designs and styles many of which are still in production today.
The first Oriental rugs brought to Europe were deemed far too beautiful to place on the floor, and were used most frequently as wall hangings or as table coverings. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Oriental rugs gained in popularity among the growing upper and middle classes -- and the first examples were brought to the United States as furnishings for the wealthy families of the new country.
The Victorian period marked a surge in popularity for Oriental rugs, both in Europe and in the United States. The ornate style of the period was complemented by the deep colors, rich pile, and exquisite design of Oriental rugs, which became an important element of decor for the parlors of the Victorian well-to-do. Most of the antique rugs available today date to this period, which saw a revolution in rug production thanks to new dye processes and materials that makers adopted to standardize and increase the number of rugs available.
Is it a carpet or a rug? At first glance, the market for Oriental rugs can seem bewildering. With so many different styles, many people wonder how best to begin. A Kilim A Daghestan? While the variety may seem daunting, getting a handle on the basic divisions within the world of Oriental rugs is essential for collectors hoping to make the wisesLarge pieces, say 6' by 9' and above, are usually referred to as carpets. Smaller pieces, which act as decorative accents rather than the central focus of a room, are called rugs.
A more important distinction for collectors is the method of production. For most serious rug enthusiasts, an Oriental rug is one that has been knotted by hand. Machine-made rugs, while often beautiful in their own right, are not technically "Oriental rugs." Instead, they are referred to as "Oriental design." Dealers, when selling rugs, are bound by federal law to make this clear so that is the first thing for any would-be buyer to establish.
Even if an Oriental rug has been hand-made, it is not necessarily a collectible item. A visit to most retail rug shops, or the carpet department at your local department store, will reveal stacks of what we call "decorative" carpets that have been mass-produced by hand by workers in rug factories. While many of these rugs are described by the name of the Persian style they emulate, few are actual examples of these much more valuable rugs. It is important for buyers to ascertain where the rug was actually produced -- a surprising number of modern "Persian" rugs are actually made in China, India or Pakistan.
Real Persian rugs are much more difficult to come by, and hence of much greater interest for serious collectors. One reason for their scarcity was the long-standing U.S. embargo against Iran, which was dropped only in early 2000.
While interior designers may well be satisfied with decorative rugs, most collectors steer clear because they are less likely to appreciate in value than genuine Persian rugs. This is due in part to the use of lesser quality materials, such as machine spun, chemically-dyed wool, and the alteration of traditional patterns to conform with whatever is the latest vogue in Western taste.
Most Oriental rugs can be categorized as belonging to one of five broad geographic groups -- Persian, Turkish, Turkmen, Caucasian and Chinese. Within these groups, they are often subdivided by the name of the city, or the tribe, that produced them -- giving us such designations as Baluch and Herez carpets.
Oriental rugs can also be categorized according to the method of production. The lowest level, so-called "tribal" rugs, are often relatively small rugs made for personal use by local weavers. Village-produced rugs can be similar, but with broader experimentation in design and coloring, while rugs produced in city workshops are frequently made according to a set pattern designed for maximum market appeal.
What's hot, what's not
While popular styles of Persian rugs include Tabriz, Isfahan and Kashan, the cities of Sarouk, Herez and Sarapi are often the source of more valuable antique rugs. If you are in the market for one of these rare rugs, it is best to keep an eye on auctions from private collections. These rugs, many of which have been in the same family for decades, are often the best examples of their type -- benefiting from years of careful and loving care.
But while fashions come and go among top collectors -- the rage right now is for old Sultanabad and Serapi carpets in pale colors such as green, rust and peach -- there are plenty of other choices for collectors on a budget.
Affordable and popular choices now are Sarouk and Tabriz rugs from the 1920s and 1930s. These were frequently woven to appeal to European taste and feature bright colors that blend well with many modern interior designs. Another popular rug is the Oushak, which in pastel colors can provide a gentle but compelling focus for a living or a dining room. These rugs are relatively easy to find on the market at reasonable prices, and because they have a thicker pile and more durable backing they are far easier to repair than other kinds of Oriental rugs.
Persian rugs, of course, are not the only choice for collectors. Older Indian carpets, with pleasing color palettes and large sizes, tend to appeal to decorators and designers while room-sized Chinese carpets also sell for less than Persian carpets, and make a bold decorative statement, whether in cobalt blue with stylized designs or with colorful Art Deco motifs.
Many of the wisest collectors, however, will focus on Oriental rugs which are not currently in fashion -- because these styles represent the best values of all in today's market. Kerman, Mahal and Malayer carpets are well woven, durable, and can be very attractive, but they are not as popular right now with decorators and designers -- meaning that even the finer examples, particularly in pastel designs, can be bought quite reasonably.
Caring for Oriental rugs
Once you've found a rug that interests you, make sure you examine it thoroughly. Start by feeling its nap and texture. It should feel velvety and soft to the touch. Rugs that have been poorly cared for are often brittle, stained or torn, so make sure that the rug is completely unfolded for you to inspect for any hidden problems.
Also, closely examine the hand-tied knots. In general, the smaller and tighter the knots, the finer the quality of the rug. But don't rely on this fact alone -- while a rug made in Pakistan may have more and tighter knots, it may not be as valuable as one originating from a rarer workshop in Persia. Persian rugs, in general, are the ones favored by most serious collectors because they are crafted from the best quality wool or silk and feature the most unique designs.
While antique rugs can be expected to show some signs of wear, savvy buyers look for examples that are in as close to original condition as possible. Some problems should be apparent to the naked eye -splits, tears, or glaring repairs can all affect the value of a rug. But a close inspection can also turn up some less obvious problems. Some older rugs on the market today are actually two rugs which have been joined - look hard, particularly on the back of the rug, for any signs of a seam which could indicate this. And while wear is common - rugs are meant to be used, after all - a uniform patina of age across an entire rug could be a sign that it is a modern piece that been specially treated to look like an antique. And all rug buyers should be on the look out for signs of dry rot. This fungus, caused by exposure to moisture, can make a rug brittle and inflexible. If possible, lift the rug to see how it bends. If it feels stiff, it may be suffering from dry rot.
Once you've found the perfect Oriental rug - either to start your collection or simply to dress up your home - there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure that it holds both its beauty and its value while in your care. Naturally, most people choose to display their rugs on the floor, which, after all, is where they belong! This is fine, but make sure that the rug is placed well away from damp areas, which can promote dry rot, and direct sunlight, which over time can cause fading. Hallways and other parts of the home with a lot of foot traffic are not generally good places to put a valuable carpet. But don't feel that you have to hide the rug away - most good Oriental rugs are extremely well made, and should stand up well to normal household wear.
Keeping Oriental rugs clean will help extend their lifetime. Rugs should be regularly vacuumed, on a light setting, and occasionally gently cleaned with water and detergent. Of course, because they're underfoot every day, accidents do happen. Most stains will come out if treated quickly with soap and water. But if the stain is serious, or there is a rip or a tear in the rug, don't hesitate to take it to a professional rug repair company.
This is a particularly good time to begin investing in Oriental rugs. The American dollar is strong, which means buyers are getting a lot of rug for their money. Quality rugs appreciate if you take good care of them and -- even after decades of enjoyment -- can often be more valuable over time than when they were purchased.
