The materials used in most antique carpets are the wool pile in a cotton base. One may find camel hair, silk, goat hair, and even a mixture of the above, but these are less commonly used.

Some of the best wool comes from Persia (Iran), where baby lamb’s wool (quark, kirk) is used. The soft feel and durability are fairly easy to distinguish. Ask an Oriental rug dealer whom you trust to verify the materials in each piece you select.

There are two types of knots used in Oriental rugs. The Turkish knot is the most commonly used. The Turkish and Caucasian pieces use this type of knot. The Persian, or Senna, knot comes from Tabriz (Iran) and is rarely used in Turkish pieces. The most common is 150 to 250 KPSI. The more knots used, the longer it takes to make the rug, and this may increase the price of the rug.

The type of dyes used in an Oriental carpet is most important. The typical dyes used in antique and semi-antique carpets were the natural vegetable dyes, frequently produced from vegetable leaves, berries, roots, nuts, flowers, and even some marine life, giving the older rugs a soft rich color that makes each rug unique. The use of vegetable dyes today is minimal. The other dyes used in semi-antique and today’s rugs are synthetic chrome dyes. These dyes were proven to withstand sunlight, heat, air, and moisture better than most vegetable dyes. Over time, though, the vegetable dyes had more of their original appearance than the synthetic dyes in the wear and tear factor.

Even an expert would have a hard time distinguishing the individual tribes and families where a particular rug was made. An appraiser should be able to determine the approximate vicinity or region from observing the design and weave. The two main designs used in Oriental rugs are floral and geometric. Other conventional designs use a combination of both floral geometric design. The Chinese are easily distinguishable by symbols like the dragon, birds, animals, and cloud bands. For example, Persian Tabriz hunting carpets reflect animals, birds, and fruit, etc. Each symbol has its own meaning in the area where the rug was created. The camel signifies health and happiness. The lion and elephant are symbols of strength and power.

The condition of an Oriental rug plays a major role in its value. An antique rug in perfect condition is valued at the top of the market. Wear in places (low pile), stains, foundation showing, or moth damage will decrease the value of the rug significantly. Restoration may bring the value up if done properly. Oriental rugs are a very personal item and many rug lovers may like the worn look. Look for torn areas, cracking foundation, major stains, moth damage, low pile (down to the foundation), pile leaving the rug at the fringe area, and mold or mildew smell before your final purchase.