A topic that, predictably, arises sometimes is how much money you should spend on Persian rugs and why. Why are some more expensive than others? What makes Persian Rugs Valuable? What is the difference between the pricey options and a Ruggable Persian Style rug? Is it a worthwhile investment? How can I know whether it's a good investment?
There are several solutions to these questions, and I hope I can shed some light on at least a few.
So, what makes Persian rugs valuable?
Artistic merit
Persian rugs have been around for about 2,500 years. Over time, these rugs have become an art form mirroring Persian culture and history. Because Persian carpets are handcrafted, each one is a piece of art created by a master craftsman who uses ancient motifs and images to express their own culture.
As the knots get smaller, the pattern becomes brighter and more distinct, providing the purchaser with a one-of-a-kind home decor.
Finest Quality Materials
The material from which Persian carpets are created is an important component in their price. Persian rugs are made from natural plant and animal fibers such as silk, cotton, and wool.
These durable fibers can last for generations, are easy to clean, do not usually fade with time, and are typically better for the air quality in the space. Artificial materials, on the other hand, such as nylon, acrylic, and polyester, have been shown to cause allergic responses.
Production Time
One thing to keep in mind is that Persian rugs are 100% handcrafted. Consider what that means in terms of a carpet. Everything is done by hand, from sourcing materials to dyeing to weaving every individual knot. The result is time. Weaving a rug takes time. Some take months to complete, while others take years. It is determined by the amount of time spent weaving each day, the size of the rug, and the materials used.
It will take longer if the materials are of a better grade, like silk.
One-of-a-kind Work of Art
Every hand-knotted rug is unique. There will never be two identical. Occasionally, a pair will be manufactured at the same time and will be almost identical. However, if you look closely, you will see differences. As a result, the pricing is affected. Any unique object is valuable. On the other hand, machine-made carpets guarantee that many of the same rugs will be produced, thereby decreasing the value.
Investment
If you take good care of a Persian rug, it will, at the very least, maintain its value and may even increase in value over time.
When a Persian rug is between 30 and 80 years old, it is classified as a 'Vintage' rug. When the rug reaches 80 years old, it is considered an 'Antique' rug.
Some Persian rugs are more prone to become rare as they age. Rareness equals high value.
Finishing Up
We hope you found out what makes Persian rugs valuable. The price may be a barrier if you want to buy a Persian carpet. However, as this article explains, various factors influence the price.
It is crucial always to get expert advice on the value of a rug. So many factors can combine to make even a very old Persian rug less valuable than you imagined. This might be due to chemical washing, too much direct sunshine causing fading, or extensive damage from being in a high-traffic location for many years. You might be interested to know about the most expensive rugs too.
Hopefully, this helps, and as usual, if you have any questions, please ask. (Alternatively, see our FAQ section) We'd love to hear from you!