Identifying rugs by their colour and design

(Posted on 14/02/14)

It is a common mistake to assume that oriental rugs can be identified by their designs alone.  While it is true that certain designs are closely associated, even synonymous, with specific localities or weaving group, centuries of trade, migration, intermarriage and inspired plagiarism have resulted in a gradual spreading of compositional traditions.  This is especially true today, due to the substantial number of high-quality copies coming onto the market from India, Pakistan and the Balkan countries, and it would take an exceptionally brave or foolhardy person to identify a rug without confirming their opinion by carefully checking the weave, materials and dyes.  However, the design can be a useful, if not a definitive, indicator of a rug's origins.  This degree of knowledge will not guarantee immunity from mistakes or deceit at the hands of unscrupulous dealers, but it will help to combat the more obvious attempts at misinformation - far more likely than outright deception - and assist in assessing the integrity of any dealer or expert whom one may need to rely on for advice.

                                                                                   (Antique Anatolian rug)