1 – Good Investment
The astonishing beauty of handknotted Persian Rugs – coupled with their ability to withstand the ravages of time unscathed – means they have been highly desirable trading commodities since 500BC. Like other collectibles, the rugs value increases with age, attaining ‘antique’ or ‘vintage’ status after just 70 years. Unlike fine wine, however, these particular assets also remain usable, continuing to serve their original purpose of insulation and warmth throughout their entire lifespan.
A handmade Persian rug is a great long-term investment and heirloom for future generations.
Persian rugs are classed as follows:
- 0-10 years = ‘New‘. Price: $2,500-$50,000+
- 20-70 years = ‘Used‘. Price: typically 50-70% of original price
- 70+ years = ‘Antique‘ or ‘Vintage‘. Price… thousands of dollars – even into the millions!
2 – Incomparable Quality and Durability
Persian rugs are like no other rug in terms of resilience and durability. It often takes several weavers working together a year or more to construct a single handknotted rug – and this is the key to the rugs durability. Tight and dense, knots provide ‘stand’ to the rug, and prevent dust and dirt from settling into it. Handmade rugs can last up to 200 years, even those placed in high-traffic areas: it is not uncommon for the everyday ‘family room’ rug to be over 100 years old. Rugs are common marital gifts in Persian culture.
3 – Colours and Fibres Improve
Made of all-natural materials, the colours in handmade Persian rugs become more subtle, harmonious and graceful over time – as opposed to fading with age as synthetic dyes do. A simple beating to dislodge residual dust and dirt is usually all that is required in terms of care and maintenance, but because natural fibres don’t react to water, the rug can also be cleaned regularly without impacting its look. Paradoxically, as Persian rugs age and excess fibres from the weaving process work their way out, the rug becomes softer, and the design increasingly well-defined.
4 – Unique Asset
By virtue of being handmade, no two Persian rugs are identical. Naturally-created resources such as the wool, silk and plant dyes used in construction lend variety to every aspect of the rugs creation. Master designers, craftsmen and weavers create intricate artworks that tell a story unique to their location and history: studying the design, a skilled rug dealer can sometimes identify the region, tribe and even the source family! These rugs are to be studied, admired and interpreted in a way that is deeply personal to the viewer.
Browse our selection of handmade Persian Rugs here…