There are plenty of online tutorials out there oriented around how to identify a Persian rug, and below we’ll be detailing some of the shopping considerations you should keep in mind while browsing through Persian rug inventories via the Internet.
There’s no denying that Persian rugs are some of the most beautiful and highly-coveted home décor pieces in the entire world, so naturally there are people selling knockoffs while preying on this rug style’s unparalleled demand.
So keep the following tips in mind while you’re attempting to identify authentic Persian rugs during your next shopping experience!
Try To Find Out Where Exactly The Rug Was Made
Persian rugs must come directly from Middle Eastern nations like Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Kuwait and others. Another major distinction to keep in mind while identifying authentic Persian rugs is that all of these area rugs are 100% handmade.
Machine-made rugs simply do not come from this part of the world, and other handmade rugs from countries like China, India and Pakistan are considered to be Oriental rugs.
Verify If The Persian Rug Is Hand-Knotted Or Hand-Tufted
Another big distinction between authentic and knockoff Persian rugs is how exactly the rug was developed. All authentic Persian rugs are hand-knotted, which entails incredibly intricate labor and a meticulous attention to detail for weeks if not months at a time for each rug.
Hand-tufted rugs are a little bit different than hand-knotted, because these rugs are made with a tufting gun that punches a design into a canvas. Although hand-tufted rugs are cheaper and look fantastic, they tend to be less durable and won’t last anywhere near as long as hand-knotted rugs.
Persian rug shoppers of course want to make a long-term investment with their purchase, which is why it’s crucial to differentiate these subtle variations in order to guarantee that your new area rug will last a long time.
Always Check The Front & Back Of The Persian Rug For Sale
One important distinction to make while shopping for authentic Persian rugs is that there should be minor human errors that you can see within the framework of the knotting. No one is perfect, so slight imperfections are a good sign that your prospective area rug was in fact made by hand.
It’s somewhat ironic, but these imperfections actually increase the value of a Persian rug. People want area rugs made from expert artisans, so be sure to check the front and back of a Persian rug for sale and try to inspect and slight imperfections that indicate the intricacies of the design process.
Authentic Persian Rugs Usually Have A Very Soft Backing
You can always tell a lot about an area rug by checking out its underside, and this is particularly important when verifying the authenticity of Persian rugs for sale. Like we mentioned in the above section, subtle imperfections are a sign that the rug was in fact hand-knotted, but there’s a lot more the be on the lookout for as well.
The texture of a rug’s backing is incredibly revealing as well, and all authentic Persian rugs will have identical patterns on the front and back sides of the rug. Persian rugs don’t have added backing, which makes the underside very soft.
So if you see any plastic backing on a Persian rug for sale, it means it’s likely been machine-made from synthetic materials!
Persian Rugs Have Built-In Fringes
Another important distinction to be on the lookout for is that authentic Persian rugs always have built-in fringes, which means that the fringe is actually a part of the rug’s body. So the fringe is essentially an extension of the rug that is developed during the initial weaving process.
A lot of knockoff rugs will have sewn-on fringes, so be sure to take a close look at a rug’s fringes before purchasing it.
Reach Out To The Rug Source Experts When You Need Help Identifying An Authentic Persian Rug For Sale!
There are a lot of knockoff Persian rugs that are up for sale online, which is why it’s so important to put your trust in reputable rug dealers when you’re in the market for an authentic Persian rug.
One of the very best online rug vendors is Rug Source Inc., and their team of specialists is just a few clicks away when you go to their site via the link at the top of this page!
