Persian handcrafted Rugs are prized for their uniqueness, their fine artisanal origins, and their authenticity. When compared to machine-made rugs, Persian handmade rugs are the environmentally friendly version, using sheep wool and natural dyes rather than polyester and the like. The production is also more meaningful, with the yarn being knotted by hand and the dyes being gathered and boiled by hand.
All of these features make handmade rugs more expensive than their machine-made counterparts. But for good reason.
Here we have listed out some key aspects that impact Persian handmade rug prices so that you can be an informed buyer:
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Size of the Rug
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Material of the Rug
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Quality of the weave
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Knot count of the Rug
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Uniqueness of the pattern
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Age of the Rug
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Where the Rug was bought
Size
It seems obvious that larger items of furniture will cost more, but what exactly increases the cost of larger Persian rugs than smaller ones? Knowing this is a good general introduction to the production of handmade rugs.
There are factors such as an increase in materials, such as wool and dyes, and weeks of labor for the weaver. A more skilled weaver is needed to capture a symmetrical design on such a large loom, and a heavier weight to transport locally and globally.
Despite this, larger Persian rugs will more often than not, be the statement piece in a room, compared to smaller Persian rugs.
Material of the Rug
Let's look into what Persian rugs are actually made of.
Materials include wool, silk, and dyes (natural or artificial). Wool is a natural fiber and is therefore a high-value material globally. Traditionally, the wool used to make Persian rugs is sourced from local flocks of sheep, however, today the wool is sourced from flocks in either either Saudi Arabia or New Zealand. The rugs at Knot n Co are mostly crafted from Saudi wool.
The silk used in our Persian rugs is sourced from cocoons in India. The material is premium and finer than wool, therefore being more expensive. So, if a rug has silk in it, it will always be more expensive than plain wool pile rugs.
On top of that, all materials are subject to a price increase each year, due to the higher cost of wages, production of raw materials, and transportation.
Quality of the weave
A Persian rug with straight edges is going to be worth more than one with un-conventual edges. Also, a Persian rug with a symmetrical pattern is going to be worth more than a pattern that is distorted. This is all dependent on the skill of the weaver. For instance, a more experienced weaver will produce a rug with minimal flaws, which translates to a high-quality rug with a higher value.
Did you know? Some high-quality Persian rugs have strips of leather attached to the long edges of the rug. This is to avoid the rug distorting when getting folded or rolled.
Knot Count
A Persian rug with a higher knot count will be worth more, a typical knot count is the number of knots per square inch (KPSI). Persian rugs have a KPSI that ranges from 80 to 500. The higher the KPSI, the longer the rug takes to weave, and therefore, the more valuable and expensive it will be. Not only that, but the pattern of the rug can be seen in a higher resolution, and the texture will feel velvety (all things great are created in the handmade rug world!).
Uniqueness of pattern
Each type of Persian rug design has its own price point, mainly due to the quality and demand of the design. However, if there is a unique colour palette for a specific Persian rug design that is less common, it will increase in value as it will be considered ‘rare’ or ‘unique’. As an example, Persian Kashans classically come in red and navy, they can also come in beige, which is less common, but rarely come in pistachio (green). So pistachio Kashans are often more valuable than a classic Kashans. Below are the three types of Kashans mentioned.
Top to bottom (Pistachio, Beige, Red/Navy)
Age of the rug
What is the difference between antique and semi-antique handmade rugs?
Antique Persian rugs are those that are 100 years old, while a rug is considered semi-antique when it is 60–70 years old. At Knot n Co, we love to bring quality semi-antique Persian rugs back for you, as they have a beautifully mellowed, aged look.
Which is more expensive, a new Persian rug or an antique Persian rug?
Antique Persian rugs, being 100 years old, are rarely in good condition due to wear and tear, water damage, or fading from light exposure. But if it is kept in good condition and passed down from generation to generation, antique rugs can become very valuable. Some rug enthusiasts even call antique rugs an investment. Antique rugs usually have a unique design, varying slightly to the classic design. The historical value of the rug also increases the value. This makes them a rare occurrence, and increases their demand, making them more expensive than the usual Persian rug.
Semi-antique rugs are aged between 60-70 years. These are more common to come across, and often have an aged beauty that can’t be woven into a brand new one, just like an aged bottle of wine.
Similar to antique rugs, semi-antique rugs bring a slice of history into a living room. This adds value to the rug, as it goes beyond the mere material and labour of a rug and is an intangible feature that can’t be erased.
Did you know? Families in Iran (what used to be Persia) used to preserve their precious Persian rugs for decades, by keeping them flipped over so the back is facing up, until they have guests over, which they then flip the rug right way up to show its beauty and soft texture.
Where to buy a Persian Rug
Lastly, it's important to know if you're buying a rug from a wholesaler or a retailer. Buying a rug from someone who imports Persian rugs themselves (wholesaler) will be almost half the price than buying from someone who buys the stock off the person who imports them (retailer). Buying rugs from a wholesaler will essentially cut out the middle person, which also cuts out costs too. Prices of retailers are about double of a wholesaler, however, not all wholesalers deal directly to customers. Knot n Co does! We import our own Persian rugs, which allows us to lower the price of our rugs, bringing affordable Persian rugs to Australian homes.
To sum it up, Persian rugs are usually more expensive if they are large, contain silk, have minimal flaws, have a high KPSI, have a unique/rare pattern or color, or are in the Antique or Semi-Antique range. Despite these factors increasing the price of a Persian handmade rug, they all contribute to the irreplaceable beauty of the rug.