Posted on August 4, 2015 by Behnam Rugs

Survival Guide for the First-Time Persian Rug Buyer

If you’ve never before purchased a hand-knotted rug, you may be a tad nervous – and understandably so.

After all, the reason you’re purchasing one of these gorgeous textiles is that you’ve heard of their beauty, the craftsmanship that goes into their creation, their extreme durability (many Persian rugs can last for centuries), and their high cost.

You also no doubt know that some rug dealers will try to sell you a machine-made rug, claiming it’s handmade, and you don’t want to be taken advantage of.

Some dealers also may not inform you that there’s a layer of glue holding the machine-made tufted rug together. This type of rug may last only one washing, instead of looking even better after a wash. These types of rugs also are not made of all-natural materials as real handmade rugs are.

We’ve put together a short “survival guide” to help make your first search for a beautiful, authentic Persian or Oriental rug as easy as possible. Take a look below.

The pattern on the back of a hand-knotted (left) rug will look almost as vibrant as the front of the rug, while the back of a  machine-made rug (right) barely shows the rug’s design.

Survival Guide

• Learn about the history of Persian and Oriental rugs before you step foot in a rug showroom or before you go online to look for rugs. Know the difference between hand-knotted and machine-knotted rugs (A major hint is that the design on the back of a hand-knotted rug will be almost as vibrant as it is on the front of the rug.)
• As you perform your research, learn about the histories behind some of the classic Persian and Oriental rug designs.
• If looking to purchase an antique rug, learn at what age experts have deemed a rug to have become antique: some qualified dealers say a rug is an antique if it’s 50 years or older, while other experts say a handmade rug can’t be called an antique until it’s at least 100 years old.
• Once you’ve steeped yourself in rug history and what to look for in a good rug, visit one or more rug dealers to look at and handle these rugs yourself.
• Ask the dealer many questions regarding a rug’s history, pattern, and quality. Don’t worry: all Persian/Oriental rug dealers – so long as they’re honest and qualified dealers – truly enjoy teaching potential customers about these gorgeous rugs.
• Take your time. Visit at least two or three different rug dealers. Don’t buy the first rug you fall in love with immediately. Keep looking at rugs. You may find that the rug you first loved is still the one you want to purchase.
• Remember: there is no rush. Persian and Oriental rugs have been around for centuries and they will continue to provide beauty in our homes for centuries more. You will find many gorgeous rugs that fit your budget and your home. Instead, enjoy your rug-buying adventure until you choose the rug that speaks to you loudest.

If you’d like to learn more about what makes authentic hand-knotted rugs so valuable, visit our Grand Showroom and state-of-the-art washing and repair center in Dallas: Behnam Rugs. We’re more than happy to show you our rugs and educate you on their history and value.  Call us at 972-733-4000 for more information.

Image courtesy of paytai/FreeDigitalPhotos.net