A handmade carpet can serve as a stunning focal point in your space. When investing in one, you'll want to ensure it exudes the desired elegance and quality.
A top-tier handmade carpet, particularly a hand-knotted one, can last for decades. Many antique rugs have endured for over a century, which is not uncommon.
Before purchasing a handmade carpet, it’s essential to understand what qualifies a rug as a fine, high-quality piece.
What do "fine" and "high quality" really mean when it comes to rugs?
Most antique rugs are handmade using natural fibers like wool, which boasts strong insulating properties, is naturally antibacterial, and can last for generations. Investing in an antique Persian rug might come with a higher price tag, but it’s an investment that withstands the test of time. Unlike some inexpensive, factory-made rugs, hand-knotted antique rugs may have already been around for decades, with their colors and appearance remaining as vibrant as the day they were crafted.
What to look for in handmade carpets: Knot density
When discussing a fine hand-knotted rug, beyond its beauty, texture, and quality, the conversation often revolves around the quality of the raw materials, lineage (particularly for antiques), and knot density. Knot density is determined by calculating the total number of knots per square inch, square centimeter, or any other specified unit of measurement.
A handmade carpet crafted from natural fibers (such as wool, silk, or cotton), dyed with natural or azo-free dyes, and featuring a higher knot count is considered superior to machine-made or tufted rugs that use synthetic materials and chemical dyes.
Although there are standard benchmarks for identifying a fine weave, it's crucial to consider whether the rugs are being compared generally or based on their specific origins. Rugs from different regions of the world have typical knot counts reflective of their unique craftsmanship.
Take the Persian city of Tabriz, for example, which has been a hub for rug weaving schools since the 16th century. Here, a knot density of 400 knots per square inch (KPSI) is considered an average weave. In these regions, a handmade carpet with a knot count in the thousands is regarded as a fine weave.
Conversely, a tribal rug typically has a knot density ranging between 50-80 KPSI. A rug with a knot density exceeding 80 is considered a high-quality weave. A handmade carpet with a high knot density is durable, soft, and plush.
What to look for in handmade carpets: Design
A higher knot count enables more complex and intricate designs. Rugs with higher knot density often feature curvilinear patterns and shading, while lower knot densities are better suited for simpler geometric designs.
High knotting is crucial for intricate patterns to fully express their beauty and detail. While low knotting can suffice for open designs, it will impact the rug's longevity, especially for newer pieces.
What to look for in handmade carpets: Time invested in weaving
A finely woven hand-knotted rug requires significant time to complete.
For example, a 9x12-foot rug with a knot density of 400 KPSI can take approximately 12-16 months to finish. This timeframe considers the number of weavers involved and the total hours and days spent weaving the carpet. The number of knots tied per day by an average weaver also plays a critical role.
When identifying a fine and high-quality rug, remember that your decision should consider not only the rug's visual appeal but also the knot density, design complexity, and time invested in its creation.
The Rugnoor is a gallery showcasing the finest handmade carpets. It features a collection of handcrafted and hand-knotted treasures, carefully curated for their uniqueness and excellence over the past four decades.