A Newbie?s checklist for selecting Authentic Handmade Oriental Rugs

Posted by Pankaj Rai on June 14th, 2018

Want to splurge on a beautiful oriental rug to add a classy and luxurious splash to your interior décor, but worried you might be handed a knock-off. Well, it’s not uncommon for unsuspecting buyers to get swindled. So, how to differentiate between a fake and an authentic rug? While it’s not easy for a newbie, there are some distinct characteristics of a true oriental rug that can confirm its genuineness.  Look for these tell-tale signs before you part with your hard-earned money.

• Expensive:

The true oriental carpets are hand woven by skilled artisans with natural wool/silk and take months to make. Also, they retain their lustrous sheen for years if maintained properly. Needless to say, the authentic rugs cost a small fortune. If the dealer is quoting a low price, it’s a mostly a replica.

• Soft:

The handmade area rugs are soft to the touch on both sides. If the bottom side feels hard and stiff, it’s mostly an imitation and crafted from artificial silk or synthetic materials like rayon, acrylic or polyester.

• Check the fringe:

Pay close attention to the fringe. In an authentic oriental piece, the fringe is part of the weaving process. The threads run throughout the length of the body and hold the rug together. In machine made rugs the fringe is sewn or glued on after completion.

• Tight hand-knots:

The knots in genuine oriental rugs are tied by hand with precision. Flip over the rug and scrutinise the base of the pile. If you find rows of neat, tight knots, it’s a sure-shot sign of authenticity. On the other hand, if the knots are covered by plastic or rubber backings, the odds of it being fake are high.

• Face & back pattern match:

Check the pattern on both the back and the front. In a genuine piece, the pattern marking at the back, clearly match the ones at the top pile. It is, in fact, a mirror image. If the design on the back side is not distinct and varies, think twice before procuring it as you are looking at a phoney rug.

• The colour bleeding test:

The oriental area rugs are dyed with natural vegetable tints. The colours are fast, do not fade, run or lose their lustre. All the rugs are rinsed after the dyeing procedure to make sure they never bleed. A simple tactic can help determine the genuineness. Take a damp cloth and place on the rug throughout the night. If there is a dab of colour on the fabric the next morning, it’s probably a fake.

• Check product labelling:

Look at the reverse of the rug. You will find a tag with all the product information. A legitimate piece will have details of how it was made, the material used, the name of the country where it was created etc.

An oriental rug is undeniably a prized possession that can be passed on from generations to generations with proper care. However, finding an authentic piece is not easy, as the chances of being duped are high. The above pointers will come handy in helping differentiate the real from the fake one. If doubts still persist, enlist the help of an expert or buy from a reputable manufacturing unit that offers wholesale area rugs online.