Oriental Rugs
Every knot tells a story. But not every rug that looks old, is old.
Specialised module, built on data from decades of auction results and expert knowledge.
The silent language of the rug
The market for oriental rugs is flooded with machine-woven reproductions, chemically aged imitations and incorrectly attributed pieces. A hand-knotted Persian rug from the 19th century and a contemporary reproduction can look identical at first glance. Yet the differences are profound and utterly determine value. A finely knotted Isfahan rug from the late 19th century with quality wool and natural dyes commands prices ranging from €5,000 to €15,000 depending on condition and size, while a contemporary machine-made reproduction of identical visual design sells for €200 to €500. The authentication gap is crucial for any collector or dealer. The market demands an objective standard, one built on technical analysis rather than visual approximation. Knot density is the primary diagnostic tool: a quality Isfahan will show 150-300 knots per square inch (KPSI), with some exceptional examples exceeding 400 KPSI. The knots must be hand-tied with irregular spacing, the human hand cannot achieve perfect uniformity. Wool quality reveals itself in the fibre structure under magnification: genuine centuries-old wool develops a patina of biological degradation. The colours must show gradative transitions typical of natural dyes like madder (reds), indigo (blues), and walnut (browns). Synthetic colours, introduced in the 1870s-1880s, display uniform saturation and fade in fundamentally different patterns than natural dyes. These technical markers separate authenticity from deception.
AntiqBot speaks the language of the rug. Knot density, wool quality, natural versus synthetic dyes, pattern style and border finishing, each element contributes to identification.
For those who do not speak the language of the rug, all knots are equal.
Origin is everything. Persian rugs from Isfahan, Tabriz, Kashan and Heriz each have their own technical characteristics and price ranges. A quality Isfahan: €5,000 to €20,000. A Tabriz, known for finer knotting: €3,000 to €12,000. Caucasian rugs (Kazak, Shirvan) have a more robust structure and fetch €2,000 to €8,000. Turkish Oushak rugs have a looser weave and more distinctive drapery: €800 to €4,000. A more obscure Baluch from Afghanistan: €600 to €2,000. The AntiqBot analysis places each rug in its correct origin and price category. Importantly, dye analysis is one of the most reliable authentication methods. Natural dyes such as madder (red), indigo (blue) and walnut (brown) age in a biologically predictable way, fading gradually and evenly. Synthetic aniline dyes, which only became available after 1856, show a different ageing pattern: they fade patchily and unevenly. A rug claiming to be 19th century but containing synthetic dyes from after 1920 is not what it appears to be.
Every element tells its part
Origins AntiqBot recognises
How to photograph a rug
Both front and back are needed. Lay the rug flat on a neutral surface. Photograph the front completely and take a close-up of a corner.
Photograph the back, the knots are visible there and tell more than the front. Note the dimensions.
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AntiqBot offers an AI-driven indicative analysis. This is not an official valuation and does not replace professional advice.