Rug FAQ's
- This depends on the size of the rug and the fineness of the knotting. Hand knotted rugs can take many months, or even years, to make a single rug.
- Like most finely crafted objects, Oriental rugs have a true intrinsic value. They can increase in value over time, but rugs take time to appreciate in value and should be purchased to use and enjoy, not as an investment.
- Tufted rugs can achieve the look of a hand knotted rug, for a fraction of the price. Hand-tufted rugs are made by inserting rows of tufts into a cotton base with a tufting gun. This technique is less time consuming and therefore the rugs cost less to make. This does not mean the rugs are not of good quality. Some of the best rugs in today’s market are hand-tufted.
- Machine-made rugs are made on huge, fast-running looms, which cut production time significantly. That does not mean these rugs are not of good quality. Many fantastic rugs are made on Wilton and Axminster looms throughout the world. These machine-made rugs can contain dense piles and quality wool, which can stand up with many of the best rugs in the world.
- A true Persian rug comes from Iran. Persia was the former name of Iran and the rugs have kept that identity. A rug cannot be Persian unless it comes from Iran.
- Oriental rugs mainly come from a variety of countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and others. The countries listed produce real Oriental rugs of excellent quality.
- Dyes made from natural substances such as roots - have been used in Oriental rugs for thousands of years. By about World War Two, synthetic dyes had almost entirely taken the place of natural dyes. Then, starting in about 1980, natural dyes again began to be used in a few rugs, and today both natural and synthetic dyes are used in Oriental rugs. For all practical purposes, both are excellent. Connoisseurs, though, almost always prefer natural dyes, citing especially a pleasant variation (or Abrash) in colors made from natural substances. The choice between natural and modern synthetic dyes is a matter of preference - and money. Rugs with natural dyes cost approximately 30% more than those with synthetic dyes.
- A rug purchase is a matter of both taste and budget. A traditional Persian rug may work for one person, while a contemporary machine-made might be someone else’s cup of tea. As a general rule, the rug should be the focal point of the room and it is wise to make it an important part of the overall budget.