Tips How to Recognize an Antique Rug

Antique or oriental rugs are known to be the most valuable rugs used in homes. They are known as a great form of art that has been handed down through generations by many families and is seen as an asset rather than just another home decor accessory. These rugs can tell you about its history, age, background story, how it was manufactured, and what materials were used. Since these rugs are made in the past, you need to know what materials were commonly used back then and which ones have been introduced as they age through time. If you want an antique rug with a higher value and price tag, it’s best to learn about its history before making any purchase decision. Here are some aspects of vintage rugs:

Check the Weaving Style

The weaving style is the first thing you need to look at when buying an antique rug. All rugs are made in a specific way, and if they don’t follow this method, they can easily be identified as fake. It all depends on how the weavers make their knots. The best way to recognize an antique rug is by checking its knot style. Also, the list of 100 best oriental and Persian rugs is an excellent resource for learning about the weaving styles.

The Knot Type 

Antique design rugs have two different types of knots: the Turkish and Persian styles. If you’re looking for high quality, then make sure that your textile has these knots because they are considered top-notch when it comes to quality.

• The Turkish Knot 

If the rug is an antique, then it should have this kind of knot. It uses a unique technique to make its knots, and that’s why they are usually tighter than the Persian-style ones. Another thing is that Turkish weavers use more yarn for each knot because they want to produce thicker and denser rugs.

• The Persian Knot 

This knot is much looser than the Turkish one, and it’s recommended for beginner weavers because of how easier it is to create. However, if you want that vintage look or rustic design, this type will work best for your project.

Comparing to Other Rugs of Similar Age

The age and material are also important things that you need to consider when buying an antique rug. The materials used in making older rugs were different from those used today, so if they don’t match up, then that’s a good sign you might have stumbled upon an antique. The age can also help determine how much value your rug has because the older it is, the more expensive and rarer it will be. Also, some of these antiques would only last up to 30 years, whereas others could go for over 100 years, depending on how well they were made. You’ll be able to tell that an antique rug is handmade by looking at its quality and how tightly woven or knotted it is.

Look at the Rug Style

The rug’s style, patterns, and colors are usually telltale signs that it’s an antique. Just because a rug has beautiful patterns doesn’t mean you have to buy it, especially if it doesn’t match your style or decor for your home. Some people find older rugs more aesthetically pleasing than modern ones because of their unique patterns and colors. Antique rugs vary in style, taste, and quality. They are different and unique in their way.

Antique Rugs are Unique and Different

When you look at some antique rugs, they stand out from the rest of today’s modern carpets. Many people like to mix traditional with contemporary styles, which can be done by pairing an old rug with a new one or using it as an accent piece. However, with antique-style rugs, you cannot use them as an everyday carpet because they do not stand up to foot traffic’s daily wear and tear.

Look at the Rug Material

The material that is used to make an antique rug is usually a good sign of its authenticity. You will find many fake rugs coming from China or India these days because they have begun manufacturing them in bulk by using cheaper materials that don’t stand up to the test of time. Most antique rugs are made from wool, silk, or more durable cotton and will not wear down quickly.

Look at the Color Scheme

The color scheme on a rug can give you an idea about when it was produced as well. Rugs in older times were predominately dyed using natural sources like plants and vegetables. The colors were more vibrant back then because they did not have the technology that we do today to make them brighter or even using chemicals to get a particular color of dye. This means that most antique design rugs will look very different from new ones produced these days with synthetic dyes, which are far less expensive than natural alternatives.

Knots Count

Counting the knots is also a good way to tell whether or not it is an antique rug. Newer oriental rugs tend to have more delicate knots than older ones because they are more advanced in terms of technology, allowing them to create higher quality designs with tighter knotting for sturdier rugs that will last longer. An antique rug can be a great addition to any home, with its distinctive designs and patterns that tend not to look quite the same as what you’d see in modern store rugs.

Look for Aging Properties

The rug shows aging clues such as fading, fraying, and wear. In general, antiques are more likely to show these signs of aging than a new rug. Antique pattern rugs can add character and elegance to your home or office decor while being quite durable and long-lasting. The color fade is very common for antique rugs. The finest examples fade equally, showing equal wear on both sides of the warp and weft yarns and throughout each color in the rug pattern. Often, the corners of an antique rug may be unfinished or slightly worn down from wear and tear over time. This is an ordinary sign of age but can affect the value if you’re looking to sell your rug in future years.

Check the backing

The back of the rug is also important. Antique rugs will typically have a cotton backing as this was the most common choice of backings for many years, while modern store-bought rugs are usually made with polypropylene. Also, the back shows imperfections as these rugs are hand-knotted on a loom. The artisans craft these rugs without any professional tools.

A minor issue is the back of an antique rug will not have a uniform pattern like a modern machine-made rug. The knot count in each direction may vary slightly as well. This can be due to some knots ripping out during cleaning or wear and tear over time. As long as these variations are minimal, it doesn’t affect value. Not all rugs with imperfections are antiques.

In the End

To sum up, the key to identifying an antique rug is by looking for these three things. Is it vintage? Does it have a unique design or pattern that matches your tastes and style? And does this rug feel like home when you walk on it with bare feet? If so, then congratulations! You’ve found yourself an heirloom-quality piece of art that will last through generations. With RugKnots, you can find bedroom rugs in all shapes and sizes at prices anyone can afford. What are some other ways to identify if something might be considered an antique rug worth investing in?