A Collector’s View on Age, Merit, and Value
Every rug shop calls their pieces “investment‑worthy.” Collectors are more demanding. They look at three big questions: What is it? How well was it made? How has it lived?[1]
Here’s a simple framework, adapted from traditional rug scholarship, to help you evaluate whether a Persian rug is truly worth investing in.
1. Type: does this rug know where it’s from?
Old rugs rarely feel “generic.” They follow the patterns and construction habits of their weaving region.[1]
Why type matters:
- A Sehna, a Feraghan, a Shiraz—they’re not just names. Each has expected habits in pattern, colours, weave, materials, and border layouts.[1]
- A rug that fits a known regional profile is easier to place in context and value.
- Nondescript “Persian‑style” pieces that don’t clearly belong anywhere are treated with suspicion in collector circles.[1]
You don’t need to memorize 30 types. But you should be able to distinguish:
- Floral Persian rugs vs rigidly geometric Caucasian or Central Asian pieces.[1]
- Classic Persian field patterns like Herati, Mina Khani, and pear (boteh) vs vague, invented decorations.[1]
The more clearly a rug aligns with a real weaving tradition, the more secure its value tends to be.
2. Age: how old is “old enough”?
The book draws a hard line between modern commercial rugs and older pieces made before industrial shortcuts and aniline dyes took over.[1]
Clues to meaningful age:
- Use of vegetable dyes that have softened with time, rather than harsh synthetics that scream from across the room.[1]
- Evidence of life: gentle wear, soft handle, a foundation that has held up. Old rugs are almost always flexible, never stiff.[1]
- Patterning consistent with earlier tastes: dense fields, little or no empty ground, smaller motifs designed without “labour‑saving” simplifications.[1]
Age isn’t everything; a badly made, very old rug can be less desirable than a superbly made mid‑century piece. But once you’re past the “modern commodity” threshold, age amplifies merit.
3. Merit: is this a good example of its kind?
“Merit” is the book’s word for overall quality—design, colour, materials, and workmanship taken together.[1]
High‑merit rugs tend to share:
- Thoughtful, intricate design:
- Strong command of traditional motifs (Herati, Mina Khani, pear, palmettes, etc.).[1]
- Continuity of pattern—elements relate and flow rather than floating as random patches.
- Excellent colour:
- Harmonious palettes using rich but restrained tones.
- No jarring, synthetic‑looking areas that break the mood.[1]
- Superior craftsmanship:
- Even weave; rows of knots line up consistently on the back.[1]
- Correct knot type and warp/weft treatment for its region.
- A handle that feels “right” for its group (e.g., Sehna thin and fine; Bijar dense and heavy).[1]
Collectors are willing to forgive wear, old repairs, and the odd quirk if the underlying merit is high.
4. Condition: does it have a future?
Investment isn’t just about what the rug has been; it’s about what it can still do.
Positive condition traits:
- Intact foundation—warps and wefts are sound, even if pile is low.[1]
- Professional repairs that respect the original pattern and structure.
- Even when worn “down to the knot” in places, the rug still sits flat, with edges and ends under control.[1]
Negative condition traits:
- Structural breakdown (holes, rotted areas, widespread broken warps).
- Crude patching or painting over damage.
- Heavy chemical “antique washing” that leaves the wool harsh and weak.[1]
A slightly worn but structurally strong rug can continue to serve for decades; that longevity is part of its investment value.
5. Market value: what others are willing to pay
Finally, value is anchored in the market. Delabère May notes that prices for good old rugs have risen significantly as supply shrinks and appreciation grows.[1]
What this means for you:
- You’re not just buying today’s beauty—you’re buying into a finite pool of hand‑knotted work that cannot be recreated at scale.
- Well‑chosen pieces in classic types and strong merit tend to hold or grow in relative value, especially compared with disposable décor rugs.
When we curate at SaraMoon, we’re effectively applying this framework:
- Is this rug a clear, honest example of its type?
- Does it have real merit—pattern, colour, structure?
- Has it lived well enough to keep living in your home?
If the answer is yes on all three, that’s when a Persian rug is truly worth calling an investment.[1]