When considering the purchase of an Oriental rug there are few guidelines which
help in making a wise choice. Since there are many factors that influence the
value of a given rug, it is important to remember the steps of its manufacture.
With this understanding, better choices can then be made, and possibly a costly
mistake avoided.
Looms:
As we have mentioned, oriental carpets are woven on looms. Obviously, the size
of the carpet is dependent on the loom. Rigid looms, also called horizontal
looms, are those used by most nomadic tribes. The rugs produced on these are
limited to the height and width of the loom, usually no longer than seven feet.
Adjustable looms, with rollers to accommodate the long warp threads on one end
and finished section on the other, are adapted to much larger sizes. Generally,
the rugs produced in the “factories” where many weavers work on one carpet, and
where adjustable looms are used, are the only sources of room-sized carpets.
Natural dyes:
Oriental carpets are produced from yarn dyed with either natural or synthetic
dyes. The natural dyes are made from plant and animal sources, which have been
processed to produce the desired hues. Synthetic dyes are chemically
manufactured and are available prepackaged, thereby saving months of preparation
otherwise required.
Color range:
Generally, specific types of carpets are available in a limited range of colors
or combinations of colors. This is not an absolute standard, however it is
something to consider when purchasing a carpet. For example, if pastel tones are
desired, the varieties of carpets available are limited to a few Persian and
Chinese rugs and some Indian reproduction. Likewise if red tones are required,
the choices is vast including almost every variety of Turkoman, Caucasian and
Persian carpet.
Wools:
Carpets have varying textures resulting from: the foundation threads (warp and
woof), the knots (type and number per square inch), length of pile, and the type
of wool used in manufacture. An excellent carpet need not have and extremely
right weave, long or short pile, or finely spun threads. Each distinct type of
carpet has its own characteristics that lend it its particular qualities. For
example, kirman rugs have been traditionally associated with their soft,
lustrous wool, whereas Hamadan carpets are produced from coarser fibers somewhat
dull by comparison. These distinct features lend themselves to certain kinds of
wear. It is important to consider this factor of wear before purchasing a carpet
for a particular use. If the chosen carpet is to be used in a high traffic area,
a hallway for instance, one of the more durable rugs would be best suited.
Design features:
Designs range from simple, geometric forms to extremely ornate floral and animal
motifs. Historically, designs used in rugs manufacture were associated with
either specific areas of production or with the tribe who produced the carpet.
These motifs were, more or less, the trademark of a given rug type. Thus, with
most old carpets and many of the ones still made today, one can identify the
carpet through design and physical characteristics. We can only discuss the
origin of the design in many modern machine made carpets but modern carpets are
just as durable and rewarding as the old ones.
Overcast or salvaged sides:
rugs are finished on the sides and the ends. The sides are most commonly
overcast with yarn or salvaged. Overcast sides are bound with yarn the full
length of the rug. This protects the foundation threads from wear. Salvaged
sides are produced by weaving the warp and woof threads together on the outer
edges of the carpet. End finishing include web (selvage), fringe, and
combination of the two.
Careful inspection:
Rug finishing should be inspected to make sure they are secure. If the end are
wearing, or the side finishing is not secure, the carpet will eventually begin
to unravel. Carpets used in entry halls and positioned under doors where they
are constantly rubbed will tend to wear most readily on the edges and ends. This
type of damage can be prevented by proper maintenance. If a rug begins to wear,
have it repaired immediately. To prevent uneven wear, periodically rearrange the
rug, and always keep a mat under it.
Wool quality:
the quality of wool contributes to the value and durability of a rug. It can be
stiff or supple, fine or thick, but most of all it should be strong and
resilient. Brittle wool, or moth damaged areas, can totally destroy a carpet’s
value and eventually its usefulness. Because these problems are not always
readily apparent, it is very helpful to inspect a carpet under a magnifying
glass. Try pulling some of the fibers under magnification to test their
resiliency, they should break readily. The spin of the wool can also be checked
at the same time. Properly spun wool is strong and the individual threads that
form the yarn should be securely bound together to withstand wear.
Knot forms:
there are primarily two basic knot forms used in Persian, Turkoman, Caucasian,
Chinese and Indian carpets. The two most common knot forms are the Senneh or
Persian knot and the Ghiordes to Turkish knot. To determine the type of knot
used, one method is to separate the nap threads of the carpet. If the threads
appear in pairs, most likely the Turkish knot has been used.
Knots per square inch:
knots per square inch is a term frequently used, often as a gauge to rug’s
quality. The number of knots per square inch determines the density of wool, and
the more wool, the more durable a carpet will be. Tightly woven carpets are
generally speaking, the most durable and the most expensive;