Posted on February 26, 2020 by Behnam Rugs

Questions a Quality Rug Dealer Can Answer

When you’re shopping for a fine, handmade rug, you don’t want to go in blind. A good rug dealer will educate you on the fine rugs they sell, imparting valuable knowledge that will help you make an informed decision. So, what are the questions you should ask a fine rug dealer?

1. Where is the rug from?

The dealer should be able to tell you the country of origin, and in some cases, the exact city that it’s from. The country and city of origin give you an idea about the quality. Certain areas are known for producing high-quality rugs, while other areas are known for producing lower quality rugs.

In addition, the place of origin influences the pattern or design of the rug. You may learn you love rugs from India and dislike rugs from China, for example. This will make shopping easier for both you and the dealer, as you can tell them the areas whose rugs you prefer.

2. What is the rug woven from?

Handmade rugs generally come in one of three materials or a mix of two. These materials are wool, silk, and cotton. It is quite common for Persian rugs to be wool or wool and silk. Wool and silk rugs are made with a wool foundation and silk pile.

3. Is the rug hand-knotted or machine-made?

A good dealer can know by a casual glance if a rug is handmade or machine-made. They can even tell you a few tips for spotting the difference yourself! For instance, a higher knot count is often an indication of higher quality and sometimes tells you the rug is handmade. Look for imperfections in the knots on the back of the rug, as a machine-made rug is far less likely to have any mistakes.

These mistakes do not affect the design and are not visible from the front but they tell you that a person made the rug by hand, which is a good thing! The fringes of the rug are a good place to examine in order to tell if a rug is machine or handmade.

4. How old is the rug?

A rug dealer who knows his stuff can ascertain the general age by looking at the rug. In addition, he or she should know the approximate age of the rug according to its certificate or tag. Certain designs and quality rugs are woven in specific time periods. In general, the older the rug, the higher the value.

5. Is the rug traditional, transitional, or modern?

For those new to the rug game, it can be hard to tell which patterns are which. With a knowledgeable rug dealer by your side, you will quickly learn the difference between the major styles of rugs. Traditional rugs are more intricate, often feature medallions, and include specific designs that can be floral, animal, or some other complex pattern. They usually display ten colors or more.

Transitional rugs fall somewhere in between traditional and modern. They aren’t as simple as modern rugs and are not as complex as traditional rugs. They are almost a mix of the two.

Lastly, modern rugs are generally simpler in terms of design and color. They are more likely to come in neutrals like gray, beige, tan, and black. A modern rug might feature just three or four colors. They typically have simple designs and patterns that would not be considered “busy.”

6. How much is my rug worth?

If you’re not looking to buy a rug, you may still have questions a rug dealer can answer. The most common one is, “What is my rug worth?” A reputable dealer will likely give verbal and written appraisals. They take all the questions we covered into account to assess your rug. The country of origin, material, whether it is machine-made or handmade, whether it is traditional, transitional, or modern, and the age of the rug all affect its worth.

Quality rug dealers are able to discern the approximate value of your rug and give appraisals for insurance or sales purposes. The condition of the rug and how well it has been maintained in the past, including washing and restoration, is a big factor in determining how much your rug is worth.

If the person selling you a rug can’t answer these questions, run!

Call 972-733-0400 to schedule a consultation.