To be considered antique, a rug must be at least 80 years old; however some of the oldest and most sought-after rugs are Oriental carpets, which can be several centuries old. Antique rugs are exquisite in their beauty and are hand-crafted in parts of the Middle East and Asia. Antique rugs are used to adorn both floors and walls and are considered a form of art. They are highly collectible and fetch prices in the millions of dollars at buyers’ auctions.

Out of all the antique rugs, the best known are Persian carpets. Produced in ancient Persia (or Iran of today), these finely knotted rugs feature bold geometric or curvilinear designs framed within decorative borders. If you examine the patterns closely, you will notice that the motifs typically appear in the center, to one side, or cover the entire area of the carpet. Named after the tribe or region where they were manufactured, each rug is woven on a loom and features a design characteristic of that region.

At one time, these traditional carpets were the exclusive property of royalty, who would commission the top weavers in the country to create a new rug. Some of the most famous rugs include Ashfar, Tabriz, Kerman, Kashan, Baluch, Wiss, and Shiraz rugs. Persian rugs are timeless and make a head-turning focal point for any room, whether you are decorating a modern Manhattan apartment, a two-storey family home, or a Victorian castle. 

So how do you go about buying antique carpets, and how do you know if you’re getting the real deal or being tricked into buying a fake? First, before you head to the store, be sure to measure the room the carpet is intended for. Fortunately, you can find Persian rugs in various shapes and size suitable for most rooms. Prices vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size and spacing of the knots, the condition of the carpet, and the intricateness of the design.

Two ways to differentiate an authentic from a machine-made antique rug are checking the fringe and the back of the carpet. Authentic antique rug fringes are woven, while the fringes on machine-made rugs are tacked on later. Furthermore, the back of a machine-made rug often has some kind of mesh to cover up the knots. Conversely, genuine antique rugs have the same design appearing on the front and the back, with all knots visible.

Be sure to shop for a rug at reputable dealers who provide references. Shop around, visiting several dealers or comparing products and prices on the Internet. Be sure to ask about delivery, shipping, and return policies, and never purchase a rug without getting a warranty in writing. Keep in mind that authentic antique rugs will require restoration and repair at some point, and some dealers will include this service in the purchase price. To be certain you are getting the best rug for your money, the experts advise bringing in a professional appraiser to evaluate the condition and authenticity of the rug that interests you.

Final, “BUYER BEWARE”: Beware of buying an antique rug from a store going out of business since you have no way of returning/exchanging the rug if you discover something wrong. Similarly, beware of antique rugs offered at a discount – authentic rugs have a strong market value and don’t go on sale.