Tuesday, April 28, 2015

When Purchasing Oriental Rugs For Sale Washington DC Buyers Should Remember These Tips

By Toni Vang


Given the painstaking work that goes into hand-crafting a genuine Persian rug, it's no surprise that these elegant floor coverings typically have higher price-tags. Although similar, factory-made copies don't measure up in terms of quality when compared to those made by talented Iranian artisans. If in the market for oriental rugs for sale Washington DC buyers need to be aware of these guidelines that will help them recognize those which are genuine.

Persian rugs are unique from other oriental designs by the type of knot used in their fabric weave. Their classic look has long been a popular decor choice for hallways or any type of room due to its versatility and comfort. They are also made to last for many years, and the wide range of exquisite colors, patterns, and designs are sure to appeal to the personal tastes of any buyer.

Most are made from various types of wool, such as camel hair, Kork, and Manchester. Some antique designs are crafted from silk, adding to their value but making them much more delicate and more suitable as a wall-hanging. In recent times, a move towards using materials such as olefin, mercerized cottons, and silk blends has come about.

Iranian-made rugs are known for their excellent quality which generally surpasses that of counterparts made in countries such as Nepal, China, Turkey, India, or Pakistan. Good quality means that the rug should last a long time and can possibly become a treasured family heirloom. Checking the rug's label will indicate where it was made.

In the past, Persian carpets always featured a single-loop design, but some today are made with a double-looped style as well. It should be easy to note the separate knots when folding over a section of the rug. True, handcrafted pieces will also have a pattern which can be clearly seen on the reverse side of the rug too. Standard layouts will be either compartment, one-sided, all-over, or central medallion designs, and they may also feature a symbolic, regional motif.

Genuine hand-woven rugs will sell for much higher prices than factory-made pieces. Those made using a hand-knotted technique involve the most work, but a hand-tufted or flat weave method may be used as well with either a horizontal or vertical loom. Although machine-woven versions are not considered authentic Persian rugs, they are a reasonable alternative for those who don't wish to spend a lot of money on such an item.

A rug's price is influenced by its age, size, type of dye and material, and knot density. Generally speaking, rugs which are larger, have high knot-densities, and are made of hand-spun wool and natural dyes are the most expensive. However, those made using synthetic dyes offer the advantage of a greater color selection and intensity. Antique pieces older than 100 years are typically the most valuable, with those dated between 70 and 100 years also being of notable worth.

The discriminating shopper is best served by visiting a store which specializes in only the finest quality floor coverings. One may also find a good buy at outdoor bazaars or street markets, where it may even be possible to haggle over the price. The most serious buyers will even travel to Iran to ensure that the rug they buy is the genuine article.




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