How to tell if an Antique Rug is Real: Key Signs and Tips

The Secret of Finding a Real Antique Rug: A Purchasing Guide

Antique flooring is not just a covering but a fragment of cultural history, a complex work of art and the most valuable investment that any collector would desire to have anywhere in the world. However, as the demand has increased and reproduction has become more advanced it has become a necessity to know how to determine which rug could be considered to be a genuine antique one in order to be a capable buyer.
Being a first-time collector, a decor enthusiast, or just thinking about investing in a long-term project, you may want to learn about the indicators of authenticity and make wise choices and prevent expensive errors. This thorough buyer manual takes you step by step through all that you must know, such as age verification and knotting styles, types of dyes, materials and records. At the same time, you will be able to appraise antique rugs as a professional by the end.

What is an Antique Rug?

It is worth knowing what an antique is in the world of rugs before we get into the details of the various methods of identification.
To be treated as an antique, the rug must be of minimum age of 80-100 years. The 40-80 years old rugs are generally considered to be vintage, and the more recent rugs are simply styled as either contemporary or modern handmade.
Authenticity does not only have to be age, but also cultural background, workmanship and materials that were employed in the making of the rug. Authentic antique rugs mirror the weaving culture of the territories like:

• Persia (modern-day Iran)
• Turkey
• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Caucasus region
• India
• China

Being aware of the area of origin not only lets you know of authenticity, but also provides an insight into the aspects of design, the ways of weaving, and the probable value.

Examine the Rug's Materials

Real antique rugs are usually hand woven with organic materials. The use of the type of fibers can be considered one of the most dependable signs of age and authenticity:

Wool

The majority of the antique rugs are woven using wool since it was easily available and resistant. The antique wool possesses certain properties:

• Soft but strong
• Slight sheen due to lanolin
• Natural wear patterns
• The change of texture throughout the rug

In case the wool seems to be too synthetic, stiff, or even totally homogenized you are probably dealing with a reproduction of the modernist one.

Cotton

The foundation (warp and weft) is normally made with cotton. Age cotton can present the evidence of:

• Slight discoloration
• Aging but not fraying
• Natural off-white hue

A newer rug may be denoted by bright, perfectly white cotton.

Silk

Silk rugs are finer and more elegant. Antique silk shows:

• Natural shine (not too shiny)
• Slight patina with age
• Dense, tight knotting

Beware: most of the new silk blend rugs (which imitate the look of old silk) attempt to sound and smell like vintage silk.

Avoid Synthetic Fibers

The true antique rugs do not have any synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester. These fibers were introduced only in the middle of the XX century.

Test the Knots and Construction

Another character of the authenticity of antique rugs has been the knotting method and the construction of the rug.

Hand-Knotted vs. Machine-Made

Real antique rugs are hand knotted. You can tell that it is hand-knotted by:

• Minor abnormalities in the positioning of knots.
• Variations in knot density
• One of the designs can be seen nearly perfectly on the reverse.
• Vertical fringe which is not sewed on but is part of the foundation.

Machine-made rugs often have:

• Perfectly uniform knots
• Pattern of grid on the rear.
• Sewn or glued fringes
• Artificial foundation fibers.

Knot Density (KPSI)

One indicator of quality, but not the only one of authenticity is knot density. The Persian and Turkish antique rugs e.g. are more likely to have more knots.
An average good antique rug can have between 100-400 knots per square inch (KPSI) although silk rugs can have very high numbers. Although the density of knots does not specifically indicate authenticity, very high or very low counts with other anomalies can be used to point out a reproduction.

Investigate the Dye Types

One of the best proofs of age and authenticity is dyes.

Natural Dyes

Almost all antique rugs utilize some variant of natural dye which is made using:

• Plants
• Fruits
• Minerals
• Insects (e.g., cochineal red)

These dyes produce:

• Soft, earthy tones
• Gradual fading over time
• Slight variations in color
• No chemical shine

The colors of natural dyes are warm, worn and well-balanced.

Synthetic Dyes

After the late 1800s synthetic dyes became prevalent. Some of the synthetically-dyed rugs may however be antique, however, the earliest synthetic dyes (aniline dyes) usually:

• Bleed easily
• Give out too bright or harsh colors.
• Fade unevenly
• Reproductions are frequently done with contemporary chemical dyes of unnatural brightness.
  

The Abrash Effect

The fine differences in color present in most antique rugs are called abrash. It happens when weavers worked with wool that was dyed in batches.
Providing tonal variations in a rug, even a slight one-particularly in the backgrounds or in broad areas, is a positive indication of authenticity.
Nonetheless, many contemporary manufacturers imitate abrash artificially, therefore, seek: Natural, uneven transitions

Rational Arrangement of Patterns after Hand-Woven Patterns

Assess Wear Patterns and Condition

The antique rugs are supposed to be worn out; however, the wear must be consistent with the actual use.

Artificial Distressing vs. Healthy Wear

Verdi genuine old clothes consist of:

• Softening of fibers
• Minor worn out sections in congested areas.
• Light fading away naturally.
• Aging without being much frayed.

Artificial distressing can be:

• Too consistent
• Looks "forced"
• Occurs in non-realistic locations.
• Paired with bright new dyes

Repairs and Restoration

Most of the antique rugs are repaired professionally. This is a natural thing and it tends to enhance life and worth. Look for:

• Professional work done as part of the design.
• There is no harsh or abrupt change of color.
• Matching fibers and dyes

Low-quality repair can diminish the quality but it still suggests an original work--one that must be restored.

Examine the Design and the Symbols of the Rug

Antique rugs entail cultural designs that are transmitted by generations. All the regions possess the motifs, weaving styles, and weaving rules.

Examples:

• Persian Rugs: Flowers, medallions, border decorations.
• Turkish Rugs: Geometric designs, tribal designs.
• Caucasian Rugs: Anglo-American, thick and saturated, lines and shapes.
• Chinese Rugs: Cushions Refinal soft pastels, decorative clouds, Buddhist symbols.

Observe the pattern of the rug. The genuine antique wool rugs usually possess:

• Minor flaws because of hand-weaving.
• Tribe or regional symbolic motifs.
• Complicated borders and equal design.
• Reproductions are usually overly perfect or cliched.

Look for the Rug's Provenance

Provenance is the history of the rug, how it originated, who owned it and how it was acquired.
Documentation may include:

• Auction sales receipts.
• Gallery certificates
• Country of origin tags (outdated tags may be worthwhile leads)

Antique rugs lack provenance on all of them, but when provenance exists, it is a tremendous boost to authenticity and value.

Test for Hand-Spun Wool

Most of the wool of old rugs is hand-spun, with only minor variations in the thickness of the thread.
You can distinguish wool that has been spun by hand by:

• Feeling irregular textures
• Delicate differences in one that your fingers cross the fibers.
• Thickness, evidently disproportionate.

Spinning wool by machine is more homogeneous and cheaper, it is usually used in modern imitations.

Check the Back of the Rug

When the front does not tell the truth, the back of the rug is usually truthful.

The major signs of authenticity are:

• Good visibility of the design.
• No mesh or plastic backing
• There are knots of different sizes.
• No glue or stiff areas

Machine-made rugs often have:

• Perfectly even backing
• Latex or plastic backing
• Patterns that look printed

Smell the Rug

Or it may sound peculiar, but the smell can do a lot of explaining.
Antique rugs are earthy in smell.

Reproductions painted recently might smell of chemicals, glue or other synthetic treatments.

Bad smell or mold smell may be signs of poor storage, not a hoax, but something that has to be handled.

Consult an Expert Before Making a Purchase

Always: in case you are considering a high-value antique rug.

• Rug appraisers
• Reputable dealers
• Auction houses
• Antique textile experts

They may also offer in-depth evaluations, authenticate in more depth and prevent fraud.

Conclusion

It takes a combination of background knowledge and observation and practical analysis to determine an original antique rug. The sources of the material and the technique of knotting, types of dyes, wear patterns and provenance all add to the narrative of the rug and make it authentic.
Having known these signs, you are sure to negotiate the market of antique rugs, enjoy the craftsmanship of every work, and make wise decisions when purchasing it. Be it an important collector object or a beautiful addition to your house, the authentic antique rug can be viewed as a source of all the history, beauty, and long-term investment.