Identifying an Oriental rug on design alone presents many challenges. In the past two centuries, the growing frequency of trade, intermarrying, migration, and inspired plagiarism have opened the Oriental rug market to design imitation.
Identifying Rugs by Design
Due to the culture blending of the past two centuries, identifying a rug by design alone presents many possible risks. Design styles previously varied between culture groups; however, with the advancement of weaving technology and the intermingling of cultures, weavers are better able to replicate high-quality designs with lower-quality material.
Although identifying the design and style of an Oriental rug can still be a great start in authenticating a product, it should no longer be singularly employed in the authentication process.
Identifying Rugs by Color
Once a rug expert has identified a rug or carpet’s design, he or she should then inspect the color of the yarn or wool. Although some wool and yarn dying techniques have changed, it is less likely that an imitated design will have the correct pigmentation and color intensity as an authentic piece.
Specific cultures tend to favor certain color palettes or hues. For example, Indian and Pakistani rugs favor pastel hues; whereas authentic Persian designed rugs have very rich tones. Thoroughly examining the color’s hue and intensity can help a rug expert identify the origin of the product.
Other Oriental Rug Identifiers
When identifying an Oriental rug’s origin, experts should also determine the weaving category that the rug falls into. This can lead to the identification of the lines and curves used in the design.
The more in-depth the expert goes into determining the rug’s defining features, the more accurate the final decision will be. Even though the blending of rug-weaving cultures may seem like a bad thing, there are several benefits to the process.
The Benefits of Culture Blending
Blending highly successful rug-weaving cultures together offers many benefits to the Oriental rug and carpet market. One of the most advantageous aspects of culture blending is the ability to receive similarly-styled weaving products at lower prices.
Culture blending also allows for the gradual spreading of rug weaving traditions. This benefits other cultures’ weaving styles as they pick up new weaving techniques.
The Challenges of Culture Blending
The downside of blending rug-weaving cultures is the increased challenge in authenticating a high quality piece. This harms the rug market because it becomes more difficult to distinguish knock-off rugs from the actual, high quality rugs.
If the lesser-quality rugs pass for the high quality rugs, this can lead to discrepancies in the pricing market. Consequently, consumers may end up paying more for lower-quality weaving products.
SAMAD is a leading producer and importer of fine handmade decorative rugs, catering exclusively to high-end retailers and designers. Emigrating from London, brothers and business partners, David and Malcolm Samad, established their business as wholesale rug importers in New York City in 1985. With a deep understanding and appreciation for our craft, our pioneering spirit inspires us to challenge convention and continue our pursuit of excellence. For more information, visit our webpage.
