When you see an authentic rug, you are amazed by its wonderful colour tones, unique designs, and beautiful weaving. It’s the reason why vintage rugs have such high value in demand even in the present day’s market.
However, with the evolution of the rug market, there are many varieties, both natural and artificial, that have made their way into the shops. If you are new to the rug world, then it might be difficult for you to find the original vintage rugs.
This guide is for those who want to get their hands on an authentic rug and need tips to spot one while shopping.
Materials to look for
Vintage rugs like Oriental and Persian rugs are made with only natural materials like wool, cotton, and silk – wool being the most common material. If a rug is made with any other material, then it’s not an authentic rug and you don’t have to waste money on buying such things.
Rugs made with natural materials show antimicrobial, hypoallergenic and flame-retardant properties. When you find such a rug, you can cherish it for generations with proper care and maintenance.
Types of dyes used
Authentic rugs are made with natural colour dyes using various animal and plant products. The weavers are so experienced that they can stick the colour to the materials as fast as they can. The important part is the colour doesn’t bleed when the rug becomes wet which is not the case with imitation rugs.
To test the authenticity, damp a cloth and place it at the corner of the rug, if the cloth gets coloured, then it’s an imitation, otherwise it’s a rug made with vegetable dyes.
Check the front and back of the rug
All authentic rugs are handmade and have the perfect design both on the front and back of the rug. Moreover, they also have minor imperfections that make them more unique and don’t hinder their value. On the other hand, machine-made rugs seem perfect with no imperfections and also have a mesh-like pattern on the backside. You can see it if you observe keenly.
See for a soft backing
Always observe the back of the rug to know its authenticity. You should observe a few imperfections in the knots that are only found in handmade rugs. Also, there should be no other backing to the natural rug which means the weaves are done the same both on the front and the back.
On the other hand, machine-made rugs have a very thin and stiff plastic film to hold the entire rug together. Always look for a soft backing if you want to purchase an authentic rug.
See the fringe
Naturally woven rugs have fringe and look like an extension of the rug. It is formed during the weaving process and is a part of the rug itself. On the other hand, machine rugs do not have fringe as it’s not created during the making process. If you observe the fringe sewn back to the rug, then it’s not a real Persian rug.
Hear the sounds of a rug
If you hear a crackling sound when you bend the rug, then it might have sustained water damage in the past. It also suggests that the foundation (warp or weft) is damaged, which means that it’s not an authentic rug and the value has diminished.
The rug should sit flat
Most authentic rugs are made with wool and should sit flat on the floor when you lay them. However, if they are not washed properly, they will develop ripples and can’t go back to their original shape. So, if you see rugs that have ripples, it’s not worth buying them. Original, well-maintained rugs always sit properly on the floor and make you appreciate their beauty.
Final thoughts
Authentic rugs are always sourced from countries like Iran and some Asian countries like India, China and Pakistan. If they are manufactured in the US and a few countries in Europe, those are not real vintage rugs. Hopefully, the above tips will help you when you want to see your home having a genuine rug.
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