What makes a rug semi-antique? Obviously it’s the age. The difference between vintage and antique rugs can be huge – up to a few hundred years! Technically, a vintage rug is the one that is at least fifty years old, while everything older than one hundred is antique. Semi-antique carpets are in between, from fifty to ninety-nine years.
Most of them were made in the second quarter of the 20th century, from the 1920s to about 1950. This was the time when after World War II trends in the carpet industry started to change – handmade carpets were no longer as popular as theirer machine-made counterparts, available in every town. While it does not mean that handcrafted carpets ceased to exist, both weavers and manufacturers had to evolve in order to satisfy their new clientele.
Curiously enough, when it comes to the price, semi-antique rugs are mucher than their antique counterparts, even if they were made using the same technique and materials. The difference can be around 40% less. What is the reason for that? Generally speaking, collectors and aficionados believe that age is one of the most desirable qualities in a rug. The older it is, the more it is it worth, as it is the case with all antiques on the market. Persian Heriz rugs are one of best known and most desirable semi-antique carpets. Woven since the beginning of the twentieth century, Heriz are famous for their durability and knot count per square inch (kpsi) of between 36-56. This makes them a great investment even for less experienced collectors. They are almost exclusively woven on the cotton base and their pile is made of high-quality wool. When it comes to the design, Heriz sport geometrical patterns and vivacious colors, not unlike other Persian rugs. Their rather large medallions sit upon a field of deep red or luminous rust, surrounded by a blue border. Spandrels placed in the carpet’s corners are usually in the shade of white.
Vintage area rugs – a collection of carpets that are the antique rugs of tomorrow.
These rugs are traditional and transitional in style and were woven in the second quarter of the 20th century. From the 1920’s to about 1950.
Although they are woven with the same technique as their older counterparts they are about 40% less in price.
Doris Leslie Blau has always tried to bring the charm enclosed in antique, Persian rugs closer to people, closer to you. We opened our galleries in multiple locations in order to let you experience the sheer beauty of antique and vintage Persian rugs and carpets with your own eyes and hands.
Some may think of semi antiques as inferior to antique carpets, but this is hardly true. When it comes to quality or design, the differences tend to be very small to the point of being insignificant. What’s more, with each passing year, a rug increases its worth together with age, until it finally becomes antique.