By Susan M. Keenan
For many centuries, an air of fascination and mystery has surrounded Oriental rugs. Desirable not only as a status symbol, but also as an ornamental work of art, Oriental rugs have a select standing in the realm of home décor. Don’t allow its mystique or cost to put you off from exploring the possibility of an Oriental rug experience in your home.
Five very basic factors should be considered when purchasing one of these supreme works of craftsmanship. Depending on your circumstances and the reasons behind your selection of an Oriental rug, one factor may play a larger role in your decision making process than another. Whether you are purchasing the rug for a distinctive look in your home, for personal taste, or for an investment purpose, make your selection carefully.
Materials
Oriental rugs typically use natural materials such as wool, cotton, or silk. Blends of wool and silk are also utilized in the making of Oriental rugs. In fact, many people prefer natural materials to synthetic materials since they are more durable. Since many Oriental rugs are passed down from one generation to the next in the time honored tradition of heirlooms, durability is an essential element in selection.
Additionally, while synthetic materials might provide colorful fabrics with which to weave a rug, they eventually release harmful chemicals into the air. This can be detrimental to an individual’s health, particularly for someone who has asthma or who is allergy prone.
Wool tends to be the most expensive of all the materials employed in rug making. However, an entire bevy of reasons exist for buying wool. Not only is it extremely durable, but also, it is stain resistant, dirt resistant, and fire resistant. The end result of all of this is the simple fact that these qualities make a woolen rug easy to clean as well. Plus, wool rugs provide warmth and a softness that is difficult to match with another fabric.
Knots per square inch (KPSI)
The number of knots per square inch is an indicator of the quality of the rug. The higher the number of knots per square inch, the better the quality that can be attached to the rug in most cases. A person would need to be quite skilled to produce so many very tiny knots in such a limited space.
Tightly woven patterns will cost more simply because more time has gone into the creation of the rug. The craftsmanship is more finely detailed and the amount of work involved is incredibly intense. Hand weaving Oriental rugs is often a family tradition that is passed down form one generation to the next with each generation taking extreme pride in the work.
Imperfections
The proof of a perfectly authentic Oriental rug is actually in its slight imperfection or imperfections. Only machines churn out rug after rug with no inconsistencies at all. Human beings are finer creatures and therefore, the items that they create are woven from a finer thread so to speak. A slight imperfection here or there indicates that the rug was crafted by the skill of a careful weaver.
Authenticity
Obtain a certificate of authenticity from the origin of purchase. This should indicate the approximate retail value of the rug as well as the origin, materials, age, kpsi, and size of the rug. A truly authentic Oriental rug will originate from one of several countries including Turkey, Caucasus, China, India, Tibet, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Kashmir. In fact, the country of origin was often used as an indicator of the quality and value of an Oriental rug. It is still used in determining the value of older or antique Oriental rugs.
Price
Unfortunately, price is often a consideration for any purchase that we make. Know how much you can afford to spend before you set off on your journey to purchase an Oriental rug. The higher the quality of the rug and the more intricate the pattern, the higher the price will be.
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