PERSIAN RUG BUYERS GUIDE If you’re considering making an investment in purchasing a Persian rug, it’s best to have some knowledge beforehand. We’ve compiled some tips and guidelines to help you know what you want, what you’re buying and how to get the best deal. IS A PERSIAN RUG THE SAME AS AN ORIENTAL RUG? Many people make the assumption that all oriental rugs are the same, which is not true. Whereas oriental rugs can be made in several countries (typically India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Tibet), Persian rugs are only produced in the area of the world formerly known as Persia (modern-day Iran). Why does this differentiation matter? Although a well-crafted oriental rug can still be a beautiful addition to your home, the rugs made in Iran (formerly known as Persia) are considered to be the highest quality among oriental rugs. Persian rugs have a long- established history of craftsmanship. The people of Persia had the distinctive expertise of handcrafting rugs, which is native to that region, dating back to more than 2500 years ago. HANDMADE OR MACHINE-MADE? There are Persian rugs that are painstakingly created by hand and those that are made by large machines. These machines are called power looms and they are run by computers. The materials used in machine-made rugs include wool and synthetic fibres, such as polypropylene, nylon, polyester, acrylic and art silk. Machine-made Persian rugs can be produced more quickly than hand-made rugs and therefore cost less. However, their lifespan is usually 20 years or less, depending on the quality of the materials used and how well they are maintained. They are not an investment piece, and provide no value to collectors. A 3 x 2 metre handmade Persian rug takes at least eight months to complete and some require years of labour. The craftsmanship used in creating them sets them well apart from the machine-made rugs. Each rug is uniquely designed, visually stunning and appealing. Their beauty is unsurpassable. Authentic, handmade Persian rugs are investments, since they will increase in value over time. They also age much better than machine- made rugs, actually becoming even more beautiful over time. There is also a sort of “hybrid” between handmade and machine-made Persian rugs, called “hand-crafted” or “hand-tufted” rugs. They are made using a hand-held drill gun that inserts the pile into the cloth foundation, creating a loop pile. If sheared, the loop pile is called a cut pile, whereas, if not sheared, it is referred to as a “hand-hooked” rug. The rug can also be a combination of both styles, creating a dimensional pattern. A latex coating and canvas fabric are then applied to the back of the rug. These hand-tufted rugs may look more authentically handmade than the machine-made ones, and cost less than handmade Persian rugs because they require much less time to complete. They can be very beautiful, but do not improve with age as do the handmade rugs. Therefore, they are not considered to be an investment and are not typically valued by collectors. The bottom line when purchasing any Persian rug is to determine whether you want a quality product that will last for many decades, become more beautiful as it ages, and is a great investment. If all these factors are true, you’ll want only a handmade Persian rug! Authentic handmade Persian rugs have a higher aesthetic and financial value. They are considered as investments as well as beautiful additions to your home decor. Machine- made rugs are solely for decorative purposes. Knowing how to tell the difference between a handmade Persian rug and a machine-made rug can save you a lot of heartache. How to Tell the Difference between Handmade and Machine-Made If you’re shopping for an authentic handmade Persian rug, it may be a challenge to differentiate between them and the machine-made ones. Here are a couple things to look for: • Rug Knots Because authentic Persian rugs are made by an individual person, they are not uniform. The knots, which make up the pile of the rug, are tied by hand, so they will be of different sizes. This makes each rug a unique production. If the rug has knots that are all the same size, it means it was machine-made. • Rug Fringe When making a Persian rug by hand, its fringe is woven in as part of the rug’s foundation and is an integral part of its design. In machine-made rugs, the fringe is added to the foundation after the rug is made. HOW HANDMADE PERSIAN RUGS ARE MADE Authentic handmade Persian rugs are all uniquely created from different materials, designs and dyes and characteristics. Materials It’s important to know that synthetic materials are never used in the pile or foundation of handmade Persian rugs. Wool is the most common material used, but silk and combinations of the two can also be used for authentic Persian rugs. Materials used and their level of quality usually depend on the region where the rugs are made. (See Tribal vs. City Persian Rugs below.) There are three types of wool--white wool, pearl-coloured wool and multi-coloured wool-- used in Persian rugs. Black wool is never used because it cannot be dyed. The characteristics of the wool used is important, as well. It should be thick with an even texture and have the right amount of curl and oiliness to prevent the strands from breaking. Wool from New Zealand is considered some of the best wool in the world; however, because it is more difficult and expensive to attain, Persian rugs often have a mixture of New Zealand wool and local wool. The quality and value of a Persian rug usually depends on the type of wool used. The highest quality of wool comes from the head, neck, back and stomach of the sheep. The next-best wool can be found from the feet, arms, shoulders and sides. Sometimes, silk fibres are added to wool to produce rugs with a softer feel and rich lustre. They are very luxurious and elegant, but delicate and more difficult to maintain and clean. They are also typically more expensive than those rugs made with pure wool. You need to consider the wear and tear that your Persian rug will withstand. If the foot traffic it receives is high, these blended materials may not be a good choice. Regions Where Rugs Are Made All Persian rugs fall into one of two categories; tribal or city. Each type has distinct characteristics. Nomadic or Tribal Persian Rugs Tribal rugs originated from people identified with various tribes and clans in Persia. They raised sheep and goats, and lived a nomadic lifestyle, living mostly in portable tents. They often moved to search for more opportunities for grazing for their livestock. Tribal rugs are usually brighter in colour with a looser weave, with as few as 50 knots per square inch. The designs are simpler, with less complex patterns, because the looser weave restricts the shapes that can be included. Tribal rugs are usually woven with hand- spun wool from the sheep raised by the weavers themselves. The dyes used for the colouring are manufactured from the leaves and roots of regionally-grown plants and roots. City Persian Rugs Unlike the Tribal Persian rugs, city Persian rugs are produced by people residing in cities, towns and villages. They are woven using a permanently-pitched loom in a stationary location that is permanently pitched. City or village rugs are more elaborate and contain a higher knot count, allowing for more intricate patterns. They usually have a cotton warp and weft, which enhances the stability of the rug and adds resistance to shrinkage. City Persian rugs take longer to make, often involving complex designs that were sketched on paper by local artists. They are usually higher in quality than the nomadic tribal rugs with a more consistent shape. With more access to modern dyes, it’s easier to incorporate more hues into the weave, resulting in more colourful patterns. Overall Appearance There are certain characteristics that you can look for to determine whether the Persian rug is authentic and made with high quality standards. Consistency in the weave. Inspect both the front and back of the carpet for flaws in the weave. (Flaws are usually more noticeable on the back.) Rugs with a consistent weave will lay more smoothly on the floor. If the carpet contains ripples, wrinkles or puckers when you lay it on the ground, recheck it for flaws. Straight edges. The edges and ends of the carpet should be straight, with the same dimensions at both ends. The ends should be secured; if not, they will likely unravel during vacuuming or cleaning. Fringes. If the carpet has fringes, they should be neatly cut and the ends secured tightly. Avoid rugs with fringes that are discoloured or made from fabrics other than cotton or wool. Colour consistency. Even though there are usually many colours in authentic handmade Persian rugs, they should be consistent throughout the design. If there is a spot that appears darker, it could mean that the rug was mended or has faded. Knot count. A variation in knot count among Persian rugs is normal. Tribal rugs have a lower knot count than city rugs. That doesn’t necessarily affect quality, only the weaving technique used. However, rugs with a more intricate pattern usually have a higher knot count and are more expensive than those with a more basic design or lower knot count.