Rug sellers and experts often fold a rug corner or flip the entire rug to inspect its back. But why examine the back of a carpet? What insights can it provide?
Detailed examination of a rug’s back is crucial for several reasons:
Below are the reasons that lead a specialist to examine the back of a rug:
• Rug Structure The rug’s back reveals the technical aspects of the weave and knots, aiding in determining its origin.
• Rug Quality The back exposes the weave’s thickness and knot density.
• Rug Restoration Restorations, often less visible on the rug’s front, can be more clearly identified on the back.
• Rug Dyes The rug’s back can provide information about the dyes used, particularly if there’s a significant color disparity between the rug’s two sides. The front is usually lighter than the back, primarily due to sunlight-induced fading. However, if an antique rug exhibits identical coloration on both sides, it may suggest artificial painting to conceal fading.
• Approximate Rug Age The back’s texture can help estimate the rug’s age. Over time, the back of a rug becomes relatively smooth, while most new rugs have a more fibrous and fluffy texture. Examining the back can be crucial in determining the approximate age of an antique rug that appears relatively new on the front.
Explore further: browse our full collection of antique oriental rugs.
Related reading: Differences between synthetically and naturally dyed rugs · How to estimate the age of a rug by its features · How to protect your antique oriental rugs from your pet · How the Silk Road spread Persian rugs across the world · The irresistible charm of ancient Caucasian rugs
