How can I estimate the worth of an antique rug?
Understanding the value of an antique rug can be quite complex. However, ask any rug owner about the price of the rug in their living room and they will beam with pride as they discuss in detail about its history. Rugs are no longer just another piece of your house but a valuable asset to your home. Every square inch of the rug is carefully designed with the right knot density to ensure that it forms a beautiful picture from every angle. Connecting with expert appraisers will help you understand the true value of your rug, be it for insurance purposes or just showing off your assets to your guests. Whatever be the type of carpet or the beautiful colors that have been added to it, the rug brings you the look and feel that most home decor falls short of.
There are several factors that need to be considered, such as age, condition, provenance, and rarity. This blog post will explore each of these elements in order to help you determine the worth of your antique rug.
Why should I appraise my rug?
Have you ever noticed a small rug in your home and thought to yourself, "I should really have that appraised"? Perhaps it was passed down to you from a grandparent, or maybe you picked it up on a trip abroad and fell in love with its intricate design. Whatever the reason, there are many good reasons to get your rug appraised by a professional. Here are just a few:
1) You might not be looking to sell your rug today but understanding the fair market prices can help you with asset management.
2) You could get professional appraisal to estimate its value if you are looking to get an upgraded look for your house
3) Appraisal for insurance purposes can help you safeguard the investment against loss or damage
4) An accurate appraisal process can help you understand the country of origin
5) If you are looking for a current replacement for your rug, or you need to understand the cost of repair due to water damage, you must know the actual cost of the rug
6) Many philanthropists donate ancient and priceless rugs as charitable contributions. Pricing the rug will help understand the price of the donatio
Factors affecting the price of your rug
There are various factors that affect the price of your rug
1) The area of the carpet
2) The quality and type of the fiber used in the carpet
3) Whether the carpet was machine-made or hand-knotted rug
4) The carpet pad
5) The texture and make of the carpet
Questions to Address While Estimating the Rug’s Worth
There are a few questions that you need to answer as you try to find out what your rug is worth
1) How many people will be living in the home?
2) What is the traffic pattern of the room?
3) How much do you like to vacuum?
4) What is the temperature of the location of the carpet?
5) The age, condition, provenance, and rarity of the rug itself.
Understanding if the Persian rug is authentic
The question about whether a Persian rug is authentic or not has a direct impact on its appraisal. But how can you tell if a Persian rug is authentic?
True Persian rugs are designed with a soft backing. The pattern becomes a mirror image on both sides. Look for a plastic mesh if you believe that the rug is not authentic. This plastic mesh is the clue that the rug has been made out of synthetic materials and is therefore not authentic. Another way to check is to look at the entire stock of rugs from the person you are purchasing the rugs from. While machine made rugs are duplicated and will look similar, there are minute differences in the patterns and the designs of authentic Persian rugs.
How do I find out what my rug is worth?
Fine designs
It is a fact that the finer the design, the more valuable is the rug. It is all about the intricate knots in every square inch of the rug. This is because bigger designs come with solid spots stating that lesser labor was needed. It would therefore be much less expensive than the one with detailed designs. Another point to be noted is that rugs with animal designs are also deemed valuable according to the expert appraisal.
Silk rugs
If your rug is silk, you know for a fact that it is truly valuable. Silk, an extremely strong material, can be handspun into a really fine design, making the knot count much higher. The current market has always been in high demand for such rugs as they are valuable and timeless in every way.
Time to market
Contrary to popular notion, the rug's cost is not all about the knot density alone. Insurance companies, while deciding what the rugs are worth, look for verbal appraisals from rug experts and the demand for it in the current market. The ingredients also matter when it comes to a rug's worth. When the materials are finer, the knots and designs will be extremely intricate, and the rug will take that much longer to be made. Time is also a critical element while rug experts make online appraisals.
(Check our Vintage Rugs)
Keep an eye on the size
Another key factor that impacts the worth of the rug is its size. While not a rule written in stone, the bigger the rug, the more expensive it is likely to be. Having said that, the uniqueness of the design also plays a role in defining the price of the rug. A one-of-a-kind rug will be more in demand and could charge a higher price in the market.
Colors of the rug
As odd as it may sound, colors also impact the price of the rug. Unique and rarely used combination of color and popular blends of colors make a difference to the price of the rug. Natural dyes increase both the appeal of the rug as well as its price.
The artist's touch
The master signature on the rug along with the name of the artist or the designer can hike the price of your rug to a number beyond your dreams. The camel hair rugs, for instance, are especially popular for the serene display of sophistication and would cost more. It contains a true masters signature and material makeup to bring the home environment peace of mind.
Get your rug appraised now
Be it a rug passed on from generation to generation or a newly bought rug, keep all documents ready. Pick from different types of carpets. If you have a valuable rug, it is important to get a fully written appraisal by knowing the history of the rug. Itl will give you an idea of the value of your rug and may also provide information about its history and provenance. It will also give you an understanding of what type of rug you are selling and who might be interested in purchasing it. Getting an appraisal can help protect your rug from being stolen or damaged and can also be helpful if you ever decide to sell it.
