Consider what kind of rug do you want.
Before buying, think about what kind of rug do you want or need. Things to be considered are:
Size – It would be the best if you had the exact measurements of your dream carpet or space it’s supposed to cover. Persian carpets have a very broad spectrum of sizes, ranging from normal to oversized. Knowing your desirable size will make buying a little quicker and easier.
Price – Having a strict budget will help you make a thoughtful purchase that you certainly won’t regret. While Silk Persian rugs can be very pricy, their unsurpassed quality makes them a great investment.
Age – Rug’s age has a great influence on its price. Persian carpets older than 100 years are considered as antique rug, while 50 to 99 year-old ones are called semi-antique rug.
Buy directly from the source.
While for some people a trip to Iran might seem like eccentricity, in reality it is the best source for high-quality and authentic Persian rugs. While shopping for a rug try to steer clear of bazaars and carpet boutiques. Instead, consider heading to small towns or trade centers which specialize in weaving and dyeing carpets. Not only you can get authentic Persian rug for a great price, but also experience an unforgettable adventure and learn about the ancient art of weaving. Among locations worth visiting during a rug-hunt are:
Tabriz, Northern Iran’s market center. Rugs woven in this region have characteristic symmetrical knots.
Heriz, a village which produces extremely durable but coarse carpets known to last for centuries.
Sarab, where rugs have toned colors as opposed to more popular brighter scheme.
Bakhshayesh, which produces rugs with shield-like central medallion.
Kerman, where one can find brightly-colored carpets with graceful central medallions finely knotted with great care.
Mashhad, famous for their very dense arabesque patterns and cochineal red color.
Kashan, also known as the oldest city in Central Iran with active carpet production. Their world-famous silken rugs have a long tradition which dates back to the late 19th century.
Find a dealer you can trust.
Finding a good carpet dealer can be as challenging as taking a trip to Iran. First, make sure that your dealer of choice has a number of rugs to choose from and that they are available for viewing. If for some reason you dealer insists on showing you photos or shies away from showing you the chosen carpet in any other way – don’t waste your time. You will be better off somewhere else.
The dealer’s reputation is another very important feature. Nowadays, it’s as easy as researching them or their company on the Internet, but don’t be afraid to ask around for the best, especially if you are considering buying an expensive or antique rug. Finding a reputable dealer will save you days worth of research, not to mention money which could otherwise be spent on an inferior rug!
This is why at Doris Leslie Blau we pay a great deal of attention to our growing collection of the highest quality carpets. Take your time to browse our gallery of authentic Persian rugs unseen anywhere else and pick your very own carpet.
Check for details.
You don’t have to be a professional to see obvious flaws in your carpet of choice. While buying a rug, make sure to pay close attention to its edges – are they shredded? If so, it would be best to move on, as this kind of damage is the hardest one to repair and might even lead to further unraveling of the carpet. The same thing goes for any visible damage on the front, however, small tears and dirt can be easily removed by professionals and do not disqualify the rug in any way.
The applied dye is also worth considering. The best ones are vegetable dyes which ensure vibrant and long-lasting coloring of your rug. Chemical-based dyes often have very bland, almost flat coloring and are harsh for fibers. To check if your rug is handmade, just flip it. Its back and front should look identical and if not – the rug must have been machine-made or painted.
It’s worth remembering that Indian, Chinese, Turkish or Moroccan rugs are not considered Persian, but Oriental rugs. While their quality is comparable, they can extremely differ in patterns, techniques and materials used.