Tuesday, April 28, 2015

When Purchasing Oriental Rugs For Sale Washington DC Buyers Should Remember These Tips

By Toni Vang


Skillfully crafted by artisans in Iran, genuine Persian rugs are a true work of art and may understandably fetch a considerable price. However, there are also some inferior, factory-made replicas which do not offer the same quality, so when shopping for oriental rugs for sale Washington DC consumers need to know how to recognize an authentic piece.

What distinguishes a true Persian rug from others which are also classified as "Oriental" in design, is the particular type of knot in its fabric weave that is used to construct it. The versatility of these lovely carpets makes them suitable for a wide range of spaces and their durability gives them long-lasting beauty. Besides this, they come in a large selection of patterns and colors, to suit any taste.

Wool is such as Kork, Manchester, and camel hair are the most common material that Oriental carpets are made from, because of its durable nature. Silk was once used for some of the earlier pieces, which increases value but means they are more delicate and are best used for wall-hangings. Today, some new materials are being used such as silk blends, mercerized cottons, and olefin.

A rug made in Iran is likely to be of higher quality than those made in other countries like Turkey, Nepal, Pakistan, China, or India, as a result they will provide the buyer with more years of use and possibly an heirloom that can eventually be passed down to future generations. It is important to check the label on the back of the rug, to verify where it was crafted.

In the past, Persian carpets always featured a single-loop design, but some today are made with a double-looped style as well. It should be easy to note the separate knots when folding over a section of the rug. True, handcrafted pieces will also have a pattern which can be clearly seen on the reverse side of the rug too. Standard layouts will be either compartment, one-sided, all-over, or central medallion designs, and they may also feature a symbolic, regional motif.

The high level of craftsmanship that goes into making a hand-woven rug accounts largely for its higher price than those made in a factory. Hand-knotting takes the longest, but sometimes a flat weave or hand-tufted technique may be used instead, with either a vertical or horizontal loom. While not viewed as genuine, machine-woven rugs can still look attractive and are a good choice for those who have limited funds.

Factors affecting the cost of a rug include its size, age, material, knot density, and type of dye. Larger rugs with high knot-densities, hand-spun wool, and natural dyes are typically more costly. However, some people actually prefer synthetic dye styles for the greater color selection and intensity. Antique rugs over 100 years old are most valuable, and those which are between the ages of 70 and 100 don't fall far behind.

Stores which specialize in offering high quality floor coverings are a good place to shop for genuine Persian rugs. Bazaars and street markets may also produce some good deals, and can present one with the opportunity to haggle on the price. Some serious collectors will even travel to Iran to purchase their rug from its source.




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