Finding antique rugs in today’s marketplace can often be a lot easier said than done, and this is partly because there are tons of people trying to rip people off and push non-antique rugs off as authentic.
But the good news is that there are still plenty of ways to find antique rugs, and the internet has made this type of shopping experience way easier for countless rug shoppers. One of the top online rug marketplaces is Rug Source, and their seasoned specialists have supported this page by providing some insider tips for finding antique rugs no matter where you’re located.
So, take it from the area rug pros in that the following tips will guide you towards a beautiful antique rug that you can be proud to display in your home!
Buy Antique Rugs Directly When Shopping Abroad
There are plenty of marketplaces and bazaars in Middle Eastern countries like Turkey and Iran, and although there are plenty of great deals in bazaars, it’s sometimes best to go straight to reputable suppliers when you’re on the hunt for antique area rugs.
Tourists often get ripped off in these marketplaces, so if you’re traveling and want to buy a new rug for your home, be sure you’re only speaking directly with reputable dealers.
Be Sure To Double-Check The Area Rug’s Edges
Every antique rug has a specific type of edge construction, because authentic area rugs will have edges that are actually a part of the rug’s makeup. You won’t see any staples or sewn-on edges with authentic rugs, and this can be a red flag that someone is trying to rip you off if you do see this.
You also should never purchase an antique rug that has frayed edges, because these rugs could potentially unravel. So, although a rug’s edges might not be the first thing you notice when you’re narrowing down your top options, it’s still crucial to pay close attention to!
Verify That The Antique Rugs Are In Fact Handmade
If a rug isn’t handmade or hand-knotted, then it simply isn’t an authentic antique. These weaving techniques have been handed down from generation to generation throughout the Middle East and Asia, so if you’re looking for an antique rug, it has to incorporate specific manufacturing methods.
One of the easiest ways to quickly verify that a rug is or isn’t handmade is to flip it over and closely examine its back side. The back side is supposed to look like a symmetrical, mirror-like image of the front. If it looks any different than the front, then you can tell that it was likely machine-made or possibly hand-tufted—which is far from the real deal!
Be Sure To Shake The Rug, And Listen Closely
Another great tip to keep in mind while you’re shopping for antique rugs is to actually shake the rug. Although this might sound a bit odd, this is a crucial step that no rug shopper should ever neglect.
The main reason why you should thoroughly shake an area rug prior to purchasing it is because you’ll want to double-check to see if any of the fibers have inadvertently rotted or lost quality over time. Many antique rugs have been sold from previous owners for one reason or another, and if there’s something wrong with the rug’s construction, it’ll make subtle cracking sounds when it’s shaken.
If you do hear cracking sounds during this test, it’s your sign that the area rug isn’t worth your time or financial investment.
Make Sure The Rug Isn’t Artificially Dyed or Painted
The harsh truth about antique rug shopping is that there are some people out there trying to take advantage of rug aficionados, and they’ll sometimes artificially distress newer area rugs to make them appear older. Now, this could be a good option for you if you’d like a more affordable option that isn’t quite the real deal, but you should test a rug’s fabric when you want true, authentic antique rugs.
One test to keep in mind is brushing a damp cloth over the rug and rubbing the rug’s surface. If any dye at all comes off the rug, you can know that you’re looking at a fake.
Faux-Aging Is A Serious Issue
This tip goes hand-in-hand with the above section, because people will use all sorts of faux-aging techniques to make rugs look washed out and older than they actually are.
The trick for rug shoppers is to know that true antique rugs are faded naturally, so the changes in color will be uniform across the rug’s surface.
Contact The Rug Source Team To Learn More Tips For Finding Antique Rugs!
It’s always exciting to shop for antique rugs, and the Web has made antique rug shopping easier and safer than ever before. One of the top online rug vendors is Rug Source, Inc. based in North Carolina, and their team has risen up the industry’s ranks in recent years by providing unbeatable prices and customer service.
You can speak directly with the Rug Source team via the link located at the top of the page that goes directly to their antique rugs page!