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Rug Anatomy 101

Authentic Oriental Rug Identification Guide

by Uzair Qureshi 01 Apr 2023 1 comment

Many people think that they can tell an Oriental rug's authenticity simply by looking at it. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are many differentiating factors when it comes to understanding if a rug is authentic or not, and these differences often go unnoticed by the untrained eye. The rug industry can be confusing to the average consumer -- it’s riddled with opaque pricing, unclear quality standards, and very savvy salespeople. Because there are so many types and styles of rugs, it can be difficult to identify an authentic Oriental rug against a sea of machine-made products. Read our tips below to learn how to identify authentic Oriental Rugs, and become a more confident shopper.

Authentic Oriental Rug Identification Guide

How To Know You’re Buying A Real Oriental Rug

You’ll be able to assess whether a rug is an authentic Oriental rug or not by looking at the rug’s backside. A rug’s character is revealed in its backside. The rug’s backing will reveal hints about how the rug was made, and should also have a tag with details about the rug’s size, material, production country, and knot count. An authentic, hand-knotted Oriental rug’s backside should reveal a slightly less saturated but otherwise identical pattern to its front. You should be able to see each individual and unique knot in chobi rugs -- for example, it should look something like a hand-knitted scarf, with slightly varying sizes and textures of each knot. The knots should not look completely uniform. We also have published the article on Things You Should Consider before buying Cheap Rugs online. Where you can get an amazing idea from our professionals.

How to Know You’re Buying a Real Oriental Rug

Red Flag #1

If a rug’s backside is too smooth, too perfect, and looks like it was woven by a machine, it’s not an authentic hand-knotted Oriental piece. An authentic, hand-knotted Oriental rug will also have necessary fringe. When rugs are knotted by hand, each knot is based on a set of foundational warp threads, and these warp threads naturally and necessarily form the rug’s fringe. Thus, the backside of an Oriental rug should show a natural, unbroken transition from the rug’s knots to its fringed warp threads. In contrast, the production style of machine-made rugs doesn’t require fringe. Fringe is often sewed onto machine-made rugs as an accent piece but is unnecessary to the successful production of a machine-made rug.

Red flag #1

Red Flag #2

If your oriental rugs possess a backside that clearly shows that fringe was sewn on as an addition to the rug, it is not an authentic Oriental rug. A true hand-knotted Oriental rug’s backside should also have a tag or sticker stating details about the rug. Authentic Oriental rugs sold in America will likely be produced in Pakistan, India, Iran, or Afghanistan. Countries such as Turkey, Tibet, and a handful of others may also be the production source of an authentic Oriental rug, but these countries generally produce lower volumes. An authentic Oriental rug will likely be made of pure wool (although some authentic Oriental rugs contain some silk or cotton) and dyed with all-natural, vegetable-based dyes.

Red flag #2

Red Flag #3

If a rug’s tag says it’s made somewhere in North America, South America, or Western Europe, it’s not an authentic Oriental rug. If the tag says it’s made of any synthetic material -- such as acrylic, rayon, olefin, or polyester -- it’s not an authentic Oriental rug. And, of course, if the tag says it was produced in any way other than hand-knotting (such as machine made, hand-tufted, hand-loomed, or even “handmade”), it’s not an authentic Oriental rug. Once you’ve inspected the rug yourself, it’s important to ask the rug retailer more about the rug to assess its quality and authenticity. Reliable Oriental rug dealers should be able to tell you where the rug was produced (and possibly where it was finished and cleaned), how it was made, what materials were used, and what its knot count is. Note that higher knot counts result in a more dense, plush rug (and thus a higher price).

Red flag #3

Red Flag #4

If a retailer is not able to supply this information, then it’s likely that he/she is not a reliable retailer (and thus it’s questionable whether he/she is selling authentic Oriental rugs). Quality Oriental rug dealers are comparable to trusted art dealers, they should be invested, informed, and passionate about their products, because each product is high in quality and value.

Different Types Of Oriental Rugs And Their Uses

Oriental rugs are hand-knotted with meticulous attention to detail by specialized rug makers in the Middle East. These old and timeless pieces of textile, embellish years of tradition and cultural heritage within them. This makes their value even more desirable than other carpets that lack these features which elevate it from a mere object into something truly precious for your home or office space!

In the interior design world, Oriental rugs are regarded as some of the most precious and appreciated. These exotic pieces offer a variety in size, color, material – ensuring that everyone can find one to fit their needs. Choosing an Oriental rug is almost an expression of your artistic soul! Rugs are an essential component of any room because they provide warmth and comfort. If you don't have a rug, your floor may seem too cold to be used in the winter or summer months alike!

Different Types of Oriental Rugs and Their Uses

Oriental Rug Uses

Some of the most popular kinds of rugs are oriental. Their powerful features allow them to anchor furniture and add character into a room, which is why they make such fantastic decorations for any home or office space.

An Oriental rug is a beautiful and authentic way to make any room feel more interesting. With their classic colors, intricate patterns, and vibrant designs they can really bring the design of your living space together by transforming it into something charismatic that feels like home.

Oriental Rug Uses

Identifying Types Of Oriental Rugs

There are many reasons why identifying an Oriental rug is not easy. For one, they have been in the market for decades and centuries which means that there are a lot of them out there to choose from! In addition, these types of rugs originate from countries with some of the most complex artistic representations in their artwork; this can make it hard to identify what's on your own carpet. Fortunately though, when you purchase new oriental carpets at Target or Walmart (or other stores) you will receive free estimates about how much coverage area each item would cover so if something doesn't work right away then all hope isn't lost!

Identifying Types of Oriental Rugs

Color

What's your favorite color to choose for an oriental rug? Chobi rugs come in light colors such as brown, beige and cream. They are a great way to have some warmth indoors during the winter time! You can choose different colors for different styles.

Motifs

Different types of rugs have different motifs and patterns. Some feature flowers, other lines, but the most unique is ikat patterned rug which features geometric abstract shapes.

Motifs

Weaving Process

A variety of factors can make a rug thin like the Kilim. Some rugs have been made with less wool, and others are woven by fewer weavers than their counterparts. However, in many cases it is simply due to how tightly each knot was pulled together; this creates more open space between loops which acts as a natural ventilation system for your feet while you're standing or sitting on top of them!

Material

Oriental rugs are iconic in their style and beauty. There is a wide range of materials used to make these traditional works, with some designers opting for wool on cotton foundations while others prefer the more luxurious material of silk. The latter has become known as the Silk rug due to its unique properties that separate it from other Oriental styles. However, in many cases it is simply due to how tightly each knot was pulled together; this creates more open space between loops which acts as a natural ventilation system for your feet while you're standing or sitting on top of them!

Material

Production Time

While Oriental rugs are mainly appreciated for being old and traditional, some of the Vogue modern era carpets that have been produced in today’s world. These pieces make up a small segment of all contemporary oriental rug designs but they represent an inventive take on tradition with their more abstract patterns as well as using new materials like nylon to create these works-of-art.

Origin

The Bokhara rug is distinguished by its beautiful purple and red patterns, while the Persian rug has a more muted color palette with soft colors like blue. The origins of these two rugs are also quite different as well; one originates from Persia in West Asia whereas the other hails from Afghanistan in Central South Asia. The origin of the more abstract, contemporary oriental rug design is less clear. These pieces are not as old and they emerged from a collective effort to break away from traditional patterns in order to create something new. No one knows for sure where these rugs originally hail from but it’s safe to say that somewhere between China and India.

Origin

How To Identify Oriental Rugs?

There are many things to look for when identifying a handmade rug. For beginners, it can be difficult to tell the difference between Oriental rugs that were hand-made and those made by machines! Luckily there's an easy way around this problem, A skilled weaver will often tie knots on their threads as they weave them into the carpet which is not done with machine manufactured products.

If you're still not sure if the rug is handmade, or it doesn't have knots to give it away, look for a signature in Persian. A professional weaver will often create their own distinctive mark on an Oriental rug that they've made. This can be done by using different colors of thread and two weaving styles combined together. When it comes to rugs, the term "weft" is often used. It refers to a horizontal row of wefts that connect one side (bound edge) of an Oriental rug with the other and can be seen on either end by looking for white or blue threads which are always in line with fringe strands. You may notice some areas in the rug are thicker than others. This could be a sign that there is an area of damage on the backside, or it just means you need to get your vacuum out more often!

How to Identify Oriental Rugs?

You should look at the front of the rug. Look carefully- with care and attention to detail, you can observe how one end may have a similar pattern in color or size to another while other parts will contain different patterns altogether as they progress along this lengthwise axis. This is especially true for older Oriental rugs where dye lots are often changed due to variations in natural light exposure during weaving which alters colors over time on an already dyed wool fabric that has been altered by atmospheric conditions such as humidity levels too! You'll notice these subtle changes most prominently against their background hue within your eye's periphery when focused elsewhere but not entirely lost if keeping up close inspection either side of it instead then - try exploring new ways you might never have noticed before now just like the rug's original creator did!

The next thing to do is examine the knots, and look for any imperfections in them. The weft threads that are passed over these knots will be more tightly threaded when they were first woven than those which have been used before then - some may even slide out of place altogether if not secured correctly or woven tight enough.

Hand-made rugs are woven with wool piles and machine made ones can be created from nylon or polyester. On the back of a hand-woven rug, you may see white threads that run from one end to another while on the other side, there is no such thing. The design weave will never have any abrashes in color either so if your eyesight isn't perfect it's not for you! If you have determined that your rug is a true Oriental, the next step will be determining what type of rug it is.

How to Identify Oriental Rugs?

Frequently Asked Questions About Oriental Rugs

1. Are Oriental Hand-Knotted Rugs Authentic?

Yes! Oriental rugs that are hand-knotted are certainly authentic. Hand-knotted rugs are made entirely by hand, one knot at a time with no knots skipped or duplicated. The process starts from the back of the rug and finishes on the front as opposed to machines which can only produce piles in a single direction. It takes between three months and four years to produce one rug depending on size, design and style. A hand-knotted oriental rug is made using natural materials such as wool or silk which makes it soft to the touch and durable for a lifetime of use.

2. How To Know If I Have Bought An Authentic Oriental Rug?

Check if it is handcrafted or machine made? If it is handcrafted, then it is authentic. You can check for it on the label behind the rug. An authentic rug should say that it is hand-knotted. Does the rug have a dense pile that is firmly packed and does not shed on contact? An authentic rug that is handmade must have a dense pile. You can touch and feel the rug to check the authenticity.

3. Are Handmade Oriental Rugs Worth The Investment?

Yes, handmade oriental rugs are worth the investment because it is durable and can last a lifetime. Oriental rugs are also known as antique rugs that have intricate patterns with colored knots hand-woven using synthetic materials. These rugs have design patterns of ancient art with weft threads and wool knots making every part of the rug authentic and handmade.

4. Are Real Silk Oriental Rugs Expensive?

Yes, real silk oriental rugs are expensive because it is an investment that will last a lifetime. This type of rug has been known for its durability and the intricate details with fine knotting in every detail. For centuries, these high quality authentic oriental rugs have been used to decorate homes and offices around the world. These rugs are properly maintained as well due the higher quality material used.

5. Are Hand-Tufted Rugs Authentic?

No, hand-tufted rugs are not authentic because they are machine made. These types of oriental rugs are usually mass produced with one design and advertised as a faux handmade rug that was created by artisans who do not actually exist in order to make them seem more valuable than the real thing. A hand-knotted rug will have individual knots tied by a person.

6. Do Oriental And Persian Rugs Have Canvas Backing?

No, oriental and Persian rugs do not have canvas backing. These types of rugs are usually hand-woven or machine made with silk materials which is what makes them luxurious to the touch. Handmade rugs are typically made with wool and cotton. Canvas backing is usually used for other types of rugs. A Handmade oriental rug is made of pure silk, polyester or nylon pile which is what makes it so soft and luxurious.

7. Where Can I Find The Best Authentic Handmade Oriental Rugs?

Oriental rugs are naturally made in oriental countries like China, India, and Pakistan. It is easy to buy an authentic handmade oriental rug online with a quick Google search. There are many online websites like wayfair, amazon, RugUSA, RugKnots etc. These websites have the best quality rugs. RugKnots have the best authentic oriental and Persian rugs that are handmade by professional weavers and designers. Always consider a reputable rug dealer to ensure you get the rug that matches your needs.

8. How Is A Power Loom Different From A Handmade Rug?

Power looms use automatic shuttles that can produce large quantities of rugs in short periods. Handmade oriental rugs are made by hand knots on the loom, which takes much longer to complete. The difference is also apparent in quality and appearance with power-loomed carpets being more rough than a handmade rug.

9. What Are The Signs To Identify Machine Made Rugs?

To identify machine made rugs, you can look for any rug with a flat weave and machine-made fringe. machine made rugs are different from authentic handmade rugs. Not all oriental rugs are hand woven rugs, some are machine made as well but an authentic rug would always be hand tufted due to its pure material and special hand craftsmen. Machine-made rugs have a much more rough feel to them, which is the difference in quality and appearance. The fringe on machine made carpets are attached by staples or glue whereas handmade rugs use knots that create an organic finish. Machine tufted rugs will often be lighter in color and do not offer any texture. To identify whether the rug is handmade, the machine made or authentic, there are a few things to look for in detail.

We have listed all the red flags you need to notice while buying oriental rugs. You don't really have to worry about such red flags while buying from RugKnots as we are the most authentic online area rug store. You can contact us in case of any queries, too!  For more information please email us at info@rugknots.com or call us at (301) 660-7046. We are happy to answer your questions!

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1 comment

12 Jul 2021 Shana Langer

There is a tag on the back of my grandmother’s rug that says “DS 6995” “Iran.” Is there any way to find what the value of this rug could be and if it is worth shipping it across the country?

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