Those intrigued by oriental art often contemplate acquiring antique oriental rugs. As their knowledge deepens, so does their affection for this art form. Rugs, unique and “personal,” narrate their tales to observers as if they were sentient entities.

Contrary to the contemporary art market, the community of antique rug collectors tends to shun publicity and conducts transactions privately. A select group of elite dealers serve as personal consultants, assisting in curating their clients’ collections.

Most existing antique oriental rugs today date from the 19th century. “Oriental” in the rug market refers to hand-woven carpets in the East, a region that goes from the Balkans in Eastern Europe to China in the Far East, where the rug is a product of a tradition that goes back at least 700 years. Most were produced in Persia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Turkey, Afghanistan, India, and China. The antique oriental rug market divides these works of art into tribal rugs and city rugs. Tribal rugs were woven by nomads living in small villages using geometric motifs and methods unique to their ethnic groups. They were typically produced for personal use and are marked by abstract, totemic designs permeated by the unpredictability of their creators.

City rugs, however, were often commissioned by the nobility and created by groups of artists who worked from meticulous plans, or ” drawings,” conceived by a master. Weavers gathered in workshops in Persia or Turkey to create rugs known for their intricate floral images.

Intriguingly, many collectors view rugs as a secure investment avenue. Rugs have evolved into a lifestyle investment with a unique form of appreciation. While financial returns may not be the primary motivation for buyers, there is a consensus that antique rugs represent an investment.

Rare rugs take time to surface on the international market, making it challenging to track their resale value. Since rugs were produced anonymously, collectors cannot monitor comparable works if they were identified as creations of the same artists. Notably, prices have been escalating dramatically in recent years. Of the rugs available for sale, only a minimal percentage are collectable, as most are already part of private collections, acquired over the last 25 to 75 years.

Both dealers and rug collectors often express a nostalgic and poetic sentiment about their pursuit of this ancient art form, referring to rugs as time capsules or windows to history. Unlike contemporary artists who aim to stimulate or even shock, rug creators strived to express the harmony and beauty they found in nature. They believed that art was a process where each step – from raising sheep and shearing wool to making dyes and tying each knot – needed to be perfected for the final product to reach its “ultimate state.” For antique rug collectors, these works symbolise a return to the balance and simplicity of a “lost civilisation.” In a world that is increasingly impersonal and technologically advanced, lovers of oriental rugs seek original, elemental pieces that somehow connect to what is universally human. This is the art of the heart, not the ego.

Given the subtle distinctions between antique rugs, new collectors should buy with reputable dealers. Novices should also familiarise themselves with specific fundamental criteria to ensure their chosen rugs appreciate over time. Ensure the rug you are considering:

1. It is at least 100 years old, a genuine antique, hand-woven before the commercial period when workshops began to produce rugs for export.
2. Presents designs and colours that were combined in original or improvised ways to reveal the unique sensitivity of the artist. Note that rugs from urban centres are valued as the “art of absolute perfection” because of their balance and replication of patterns throughout, while tribal rugs are valued for their asymmetry and improvised aspect. See the photos above.
3. It contains only pure natural dyes, which provide a greater variety of shades. The abrash, a technique of different shades of the same colour woven in horizontal stripes on the rug, creates a sense of depth. Note that some colours are more valued than others. For example, Tyrian purple was extracted from molluscs found along the Caspian Sea that became extinct at the end of the 19th century.
4. It was woven with the highest quality fibres. The lanoline, an oily substance found in the sheep’s wool is known for its strength and elasticity which creates a luminous patina over time.
5. It is well preserved for its age. Restorations do not diminish their value as long as they have been executed flawlessly and with original materials. The rarer the rug, the more acceptable it is to have some restoration.