If you know one thing about Persian rugs, it that is they aren’t cheap. After reading this article, you will understand why Persian rugs are expensive and why they are worth the extra cost.
Background of Persian Rugs
Persian rugs have been so highly sought after, because of their unmatched quality, intricateness and authenticity.
Persians began weaving rugs over 2500 years ago and were used in the palaces of cities for their grandess, and also by nomadic tribes for their durability and practicality.
Over the centuries, several distinct designs emerged as the most sought-after, each with its distinct motifs and patterns.
Today, Persian Rugs are associated with grand, authentic interiors, bringing a piece of Persian history into a room. Persian rugs exude grandeur and are found in palaces, 5-star hotel lobbies, presidential offices in movies, and lavish mansions.
This luxurious floor covering appeals to a niche audience seeking the grandess associated with Persian rugs.
Factors that affect pricing
As mentioned in our Blog “Persian Rug Price Guide’, there are 7 factors that can affect the price of Persian Rugs.
- Size of the Rug
- Larger rugs require more materials and also take much longer to weave. Despite the extra cost our large persian rugs are some of our most popular as a statement piece for a client's home.
- Material of the Rug
- All Persian rugs are made of premium local wool, though some contain silk. The latter will increase the value of the rug.
- Quality of the weave
- High-quality Persian rugs can only be made by master weavers with decades of expertise. Near-straight edges and symmetrical patterns over the rug compared to slanted edges and distorted patterns can mean all the difference when talking about the price of a Persian Rug
- Knot count of the Rug
- A Knot count is calculated by the Knots per Square Inch (KPSI). The higher the KSPI, the finer the rug has been woven and the more velvety it will feel underfoot. Lower KSPI rugs are often lower in value as it doesn’t take as much time to weave.
- Uniqueness of the pattern
- As with anything, rare items are highly valued. The same goes for rare rug patterns.
- Age of the Rug
- When a rug is maintained correctly, it can last for generations, even 100 years! The older a blemish-free rug is, the higher its value will be.
- Where the Rug was bought
- Buying from wholesalers will be cheaper than buying from retailers and can save you hundreds, or even thousands for a rug of the same quality. So make sure you do your research before buying from a retailer.
What is the Price Range of Persian Rugs
This is highly dependent upon the quality of the rug at hand, namely the type of rug, the quality of the weave and the size.
You can find 100% silk, super finely hand-knotted Persian Rug masterpieces for $15,000 even though it is smaller than 1 square meter.
So, it is difficult to provide a price range for Persian Rugs, however, most of Knot n Co’s 3m x 2m Persian rugs would fall between $1500 to $5000.
Other handmade rug retail stores would have their price range for similar sized rugs of the same quality at $2000-$10,000.
At Knot n Co, we handpick our Persian rugs, enabling us to lower our prices for you, while other retailers buy their rugs from an importer, increasing their cost.
What Makes a Persian Rug Expensive
Material quality
All Persian Rugs are made of Wool. But it is not just any wool.
Weavers will use the softest wool which is sourced from their local sheep flocks which have been used for centuries to make the well-known high-quality Persian rugs.
Some Persian Rugs even use lambswool, instead of adult sheep wool to add an extra layer of premium softness.
Silk may be used in the higher-end Persian Rugs such as Nains. The process of making silk is labour-intensive and the softness it brings to the feel of the rug is unmatched by any other material. It is a prized material, hence why it adds value to any rug.
The quality of the dyes used also adds value to Persian Rugs. Compared to synthetic dyes, natural dyes are a lot more tedious and labour-intensive to produce, but they bring authentic colours to Persian Rugs.
If used correctly, natural dyes can uphold their vibrancy for much longer than synthetic dyes, contributing to the durability of Persian Rugs.
When we visit some of our dying centres in Central Asia, there is usually 3-4 large cauldrons heated by firewood. Heavy bundles of spun wool soak in the boiling water while our workers add in specific proportions of natural ingreidinets like turmeric or ground walnut shells.
Many hours of the fire, and the bundle of wool becomes bright in natural colour.
Age
Persian Rugs are made of such high quality that they can last for decades. So long as they are taken care of with the right rug care practices, you could potentially pass it down to the generations in your family.
Persian rugs that are older, but are still in good condition, are highly regarded. This is because they contain a slice of history, and the natural signs of aging such as the softening of colours cannot be made but developed over time.
Aged Persian Rugs are often thinner and low-profile due to the worn-down pile, but aren't thin to the point where there are holes or the warp and weft threads can be seen from the top. This would be considered a damaged rug.
At Knot n Co, we sift through the piles of vintage Persian rugs at our supplier rug markets and handpick the non-damaged aged rugs.
Time Consuming Process
The process of hand-knotted Persian Rugs takes an average of 3-12 months depending on the size. Weavers fine-tune their skills over decades to be able to produce a high-quality, authentic, blemish-free Persian Rug.
This labour-intensive process is encapsulated within each Persian Rug and adds a tremendous amount of value to the rug and also distinguishes it from machine-made alternatives.
Craftsmanship
For centuries, Persians have maintained the traditional knowledge of making handmade rugs by passing down their skills from generation to generation. A great-grandfather can pass down his knowledge to the grandfather, who passes it down to the father and then finally, to the son, creating a chain of skilled weavers who all mastered the art.
The tradition of gifting brides from the ancient Central Asian tribes with a loom and rug weaving kit is a fascinating aspect of their culture. As a parting gift from her family, this practice effectively empowers women to become self-sufficient and prepared for any situation. They can weave rugs and textiles for their home, and family and as a source of income too.
Weaving rugs is not just a career, it is a legacy and a lifestyle that these weavers leave behind for the generations to come.
Historical Designs
Though there are many, many designs of Persian rugs, some are more valuable than others. This is mainly attributable to the quality of the rugs made in each region.
Nain rugs were originally made in the city of Nain, and Kashan Rugs were originally made in the city of Kashan. Each design is known for its specific traits, which would’ve developed over time depending on the resources available.
Nain Rugs are known for their fine knot count and regular use of lambswool, while Bukhara rugs are known for their mid-range quality and tribal diamond ‘gul’ motifs.
On the left is a Persian Bukhara Rug compared to a lambswool Persian Nain Rug.
Long Life Spans
As mentioned earlier, Persian rugs are made with such high quality. This high quality is what gives Persian rugs the ability to last decades (with the correct care and maintenance).
While machine-made rugs are cheap, they will begin to show signs of structural wear and tear within 2 years or so.
Persian Rugs, on the other hand, are a bit more expensive but will keep their structure for a long time, with only their colour getting a bit dirty over time.
We recommend sending your Persian rug off to professional cleaners every year or two to keep it looking brand new.
Are Persian Rugs worth the cost?
At Knot n Co., we believe Persian Rugs are worth the cost. Not only are they a grand piece of furniture and decor, but they last for decades. Compared to their machine-made, plastic alternatives, Persian Rugs will outlive maybe 7-8 machine-made rugs.
They are more environmentally friendly, being made of natural fibres using natural dyes and bringing a slice of history into your living space.
Persian rugs come in such a wide variety of colours and patterns, that you will always find one that suits your interior. Once you find your favourite, nothing will compare.
Click here to see our full range of handmade persian rugs
Do Persian Rugs lose their value?
More often than not, you won’t be able to sell your Persian rug for more than you bought it for, but in some rare circumstances, they can maintain or increase in value.
The gradual wear and tear signs on your rug will be noticeable to rug enthusiasts.
Though hard to notice to the owner, years of traffic do discolour the rug slightly. (To keep it looking near-new, send your rug off to professional cleaning once a year or so).
Some Persian Rug designs are prevalent, and retailers have plenty of almost replicates. These rugs will usually decrease in value as many versions are available that are not second-hand from previous customers.
However, if you keep your rug for 40-50 years, and it's in fabulous condition, with no uneven discolouration, stains, or thinned areas of the pile, your rug could be of interest to rug enthusiasts.
It may be of higher value than when you bought it due to the beauty and rarity of a good-condition, aged Persian rug.
On top of this, some designs of Persian rugs decrease in production due to low demand or changing decor trends. Some of these old designs become rare gems in today's world, simply because they are not made today.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, feel free to contact us to gain more information on the estimated age, name and origin of your rug.