The identification of high-quality vintage rugs requires a thorough observation of its woven technique. The rugs with 200 to 300 knots per square inch are known to be of good quality. They are known to have knots more than 6000 knots per square inch. The higher the number, the superior is the quality of the rug. The rugs with a large number of knots are typically hand-woven, have detailed patterns, and are very expensive.
To find the best quality vintage carpets or rugs, you need to know its place of origin. And to learn that, you need to know the essential terms of these rugs and some facts related to them.
Search Online for the Best Sellers
You may find many sellers online who deal with vintage rugs. But choose the ones that are reputable in the market. Check for reviews or feedback from different customers.
Try to cross-check the costs if possible on different websites. You will never find the same rug in different stores because vintage rugs are unique. The chances of finding two similar patterns are rare and highly impossible. If you know the name of the origin where the rug was made, maybe sourcing out a few details can get easy.
Study the Different Varieties of Rugs
Oushak: They have a typical border design of geometrical shapes. These rugs have small scattered medallions or vine patterns as a part of their design.
Overdyed Rug: This is more of a treatment than a type. The vintage rug dealers have these rugs that are dyed consistently to maintain the colour and saturation.
Kilim: It is a flat-woven carpet or a rug made explicitly in Turkey.
Beni Ourain: They are soft and made from high-grade wool, also known as Shag Moroccan Rugs.
Tabriz: It is typically woven out of cotton or silk and is a type of Persian rug from the city of Tabriz.
Oriental Rug: It is a knotted-pile rug designed in the Middle-east, North Africa, Central Asia, and Northern India.
Boucherouite: The women of the Moroccan Berber tribe used to weave this rug from the scraps of clothing fabric.
Check for Damage
Vintage rugs are bound to have imperfections because they are more than 80 or 90 years old. The rugs that are more than 100 years old are known as Antique rugs. Search for defects—check whether the carpet is falling apart or the knots are coming off.
If you find these defects or damages, you must not buy it. A certain level of imperfections is acceptable, but defects must not be entertained.
Set a Good Amount of Budget
Many vintage rug dealers have the evidence or proofs through which they prove the authenticity of the rug. Such a carpet always comes with an expensive tag. The older the rug, the higher are the chances of it being pricey.
So, before you step out to purchase, make sure you have a reasonable budget. If the rug dealer offers the best quality, he may not negotiate on the price.
