I have a 1920’s persian, Sarouk rug. It has a signature plate. It is said to be in “good” condition and is 11′X15′ which makes it too large for my home and accordingly has wear patterns on each end. That's my expirience on buying.
Finding a rug is quite tricky. It's a hunt of it's own.
If you’re interested in traditional Persian or Tribal rug designs, you may consider purchasing an antique rug through a respected dealer. You may also find new rugs that look old, at a lower price. Contemporary designs are widely available, many of which have been adapted from old techniques and styles.
Hand-Knotted, Hand-Tufted or Flat-Weave?
Hand-knotted rugs tend to be higher in quality because of the intensive labor required. Hand-tufted rugs, which involve stenciling a pattern on the backing of the rug and then threading yarns into the design, are less expensive. Flat-weave rugs are also less expensive because they require less labor.
Natural or Synthetic Dyes?
In antique rugs, natural dyes are more desirable than synthetic. Natural dyes add roughly 30 percent to the cost of a rug, but they also add to its charm and its value. However, the synthetic dyes used today are available in an infinite array of colors and shades and hold their color well over time. It is impossible without expensive laboratory analysis to be certain whether a given dye is natural or synthetic.
Hand-Spun or Machine-Spun Wool?
Though some prefer the uniformity of machine-spun wool, most collectors and connoisseurs value the effect produced by hand-spun wool. When spun by hand, yarn absorbs more dye where it is loosely spun and less dye where it is spun tightly, thus producing pleasant variegation in the colors of a rug.
