What Does It Mean When Someone Says “Fine” or “Good Quality” Rug?

Let’s talk a bit about what the term “fine rugs” means and how coarse and commercial carpets compare. When you begin your research into the type of rug that you wish to purchase, you will probably hear the word “fine” mentioned frequently. Even if you shop for commercial carpets, the salesperson will probably use the term “fine”. In the world of commercial carpets and the world of hand-knotted carpets, this term means something different.

How Long Does It Take To Weave A Better Quality Rug?

Finer woven quality carpets take longer to weave. A carpet that measures 9-foot by 12-foot and has a knot count of 500 kpsi takes over 12 months to complete. This is with four or five rug weavers working 8 hours a day and six days a week. The average weaver can tie between 4,000 and 8,000 knots in a day.

How much does a good quality rug cost?

As noted above, fine / good quality rugs take longer to weave so a modern rug that is fine will cost more than a similar size modern rug with a courser weave.

What Was The Finest Rug Ever Woven?

Just for the record, it is believed that the highest knot count / finest rug ever woven was a small 12-inch by 24-inch silk rug from China. It has a knot count of close to 5,000 kpsi. Among larger carpets, there are several that claim to have the highest not counts in the world. Currently, it is thought that a Hereke , which also happens to be a prayer rug, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the record with a knot count of 4,360 kpsi. The carpet took over 14 years to produce.

How Do Commercial Carpets Measure Up?

Now that you understand a little bit about how quality rugs and handmade carpets compare to each other, let’s take a look at some commercial carpets. By commercial carpets, we are referring to those that are made entirely by high speed machines. Commercial carpets are measured using the “face weight”, also known as the “pile weight”. This measurement reflects the ounces of yarn is used to make a square yard of carpet. Typical commercially made carpets range between 16 and 40 oz per yard.

What is a quality area rug?

A quality area rug is a rug that was woven with more knots per square inch than most other area rugs. In the world of carpets and rugs, those with a fine weave are a pleasure to behold. Finer rug weaves allow for the creation of awe inspiring detail. Fine rugs have a suppleness that coarse weaves lack. They also allow for the threads to be packed tightly, which creates more durable carpets. Fine rugs are a real treasure to find, as they require considerably more time and skill from the rug weaver. They set themselves apart and have much more to offer than their high kpsi (knots per square inch) counterparts.

How can you tell if a rug is good quality?

A fine weave / good quality rug is one that has a high knot count. The density of the knots is what determines whether a rug is considered to be coarse or fine. The simplest definition of knot density is determined by counting the number of knots in a square inch of weaving. It is possible that the knot counts can be different in the horizontal and vertical direction. The knot density typically can range from anywhere from 25 to over 1,000 knots per square inch (KPSI). Sometimes this measurement is translated into centimeters (knots per square centimeter – KPSC), or another measurement according to country or region. For instance, the knots per “dihari” is used in India.

What Affects the Fineness of the Rug?

There are several factors that serve to limit how fine a weave can be produced. One of them is the type of material that is available. Silk is prized for its ability to be spun into threads as fine as a spider web but still retain their strength. Silk allows for the finest rugs to be woven, particularly those that use both a silk pile and foundation.

Why Are The Fine Quality Rugs With High KPSI So Special?

Aside from the density of knots, there are many reasons why fine or high knot density rugs are special. If one were to compare two different rugs of the same design, age, and condition, the kpsi would be the determining factor in which one was the more valuable of the two. However, it is possible for a carpet of lower knot density to be more valuable than one of higher density, depending on other factors such as age, condition, design, and the region where it was produced.

Quality Rugs

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Showing 25–48 of 129 results

Beautiful Fine Floral Antique 19th Century Persian Kerman Hallway Runner Rug 44580
$16,000.00 Size: 4 ft 8 in x 15 ft 4 in (1.42 m x 4.67 m)Purchase

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Fine Sky Blue Medallion Antique Persian Tabriz Rug 45778
Size: 10 ft x 15 ft 3 in (3.05 m x 4.65 m)

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Beautiful Fine Durable Light Blue Large Antique Persian Khorassan Rug 48776
$28,000.00 Size: 11 ft 9 in x 15 ft (3.58 m x 4.57 m)Purchase

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Beautiful All Over Design Fine Antique Decorative Indian Amritsar Rug 50455
Size: 12 ft 6 in x 14 ft 10 in (3.81 m x 4.52 m)

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Rare Wool And Cotton Soft Color Fine Weave Antique Persian Tabriz Rug 72428
Size: 10 ft 9 in x 14 ft 5 in (3.28 m x 4.39 m)

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Fine Antique Persian Khorassan Room Size Area Rug 50342
$38,000.00 Size: 11 ft x 14 ft 5 in (3.35 m x 4.39 m)Purchase

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Fine Floral Room Size Antique Persian Kerman Area Rug 42487
Size: 10 ft x 14 ft 5 in (3.05 m x 4.39 m)

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Beautiful Fine Neutral Earthy Traditional Antique Decorative Persian Kerman Rug 71972
$34,500.00 Size: 9 ft 7 in x 14 ft 2 in (2.92 m x 4.32 m)Purchase

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Luxurious Room Size Ivory Allover Floral Design Fine Vintage Silk Persian Qum Rug 72757
Size: 10 ft x 13 ft 9 in (3.05 m x 4.19 m)

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Luxurious Room Size Silk Vintage Blue Persian Fine Qum Gonbad Design Rug 72741
Size: 9 ft 7 in x 13 ft 9 in (2.92 m x 4.19 m)

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Fine Classic Traditional Floral Antique Persian Haji Jalili Tabriz Medallion Rug 47135
Size: 10 ft x 13 ft 9 in (3.05 m x 4.19 m)

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Fine Room Size Vintage Persian Luxury Gonbad Design Silk Qum Rug 72759
Size: 10 ft x 13 ft 8 in (3.05 m x 4.17 m)

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Red Fine Floral Luxurious Vintage Persian Qum Silk Hallway Runner Rug 72787
$21,500.00 Size: 2 ft 9 in x 13 ft 7 in (0.84 m x 4.14 m)Purchase

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Fine Floral Long Narrow Gallery Size Vintage Luxury Persian Silk Qum Rug 72744
$37,500.00 Size: 5 ft 2 in x 13 ft 6 in (1.57 m x 4.11 m)Purchase

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Fine Luxurious Silk Formal Medallion Room Size Persian Qum Rug 49398
Size: 9 ft 6 in x 13 ft 6 in (2.9 m x 4.11 m)

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Fine Floral Antique Classic Traditional 19th Century Medallion Persian Haji Jalili Tabriz Carpet 40776
Size: 10 ft x 13 ft 6 in (3.05 m x 4.11 m)

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Fine Luxurious Floral Design Vintage Persian Qum Silk Hallway Runner Rug 72792
$22,500.00 Size: 2 ft 7 in x 13 ft 3 in (0.79 m x 4.04 m)Purchase

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Fine Floral Vintage Persian Gonbad Design Silk Qum Luxury Hallway Runner Rug 72789
$21,500.00 Size: 2 ft 8 in x 13 ft (0.81 m x 3.96 m)Purchase

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Fine Traditional Vintage Persian Silk Qum Luxury Rug 72758
Size: 9 ft 10 in x 13 ft (3 m x 3.96 m)

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Luxurious Fine Floral Vintage Persian Silk Qum Hallway Runner Rug 72790
$22,500.00 Size: 2 ft 8 in x 13 ft (0.81 m x 3.96 m)Purchase

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Fine Classic Traditional Blue Antique Persian Mohtashem Kashan Rug 72481
$28,000.00 Size: 9 ft 9 in x 13 ft (2.97 m x 3.96 m)Purchase

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Fine Luxurious Ivory Background Antique Allover Floral Silk Persian Kashan Area Rug 71817
Size: 9 ft x 13 ft (2.74 m x 3.96 m)

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Fine Long Narrow Gallery Size Vintage Garden Design Silk Persian Qum Rug 72743
$37,500.00 Size: 5 ft 2 in x 12 ft 10 in (1.57 m x 3.91 m)Purchase

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Fine Allover Floral Design Luxurious Room Size Vintage Persian Silk Qum Rug 72742
Size: 9 ft 9 in x 12 ft 10 in (2.97 m x 3.91 m)

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Showing 25–48 of 129 results

Andrew Karam

a month ago

Twenty or so years ago my father gave me a beautiful antique Persian rug - after so many years (and kids and pets) it needed some TLC, so I brought it to Nazmiyal. I just picked it up today and - wow! They got the stains out entirely and the entire rug is brighter; they also made some repairs - it's back in my living room and looks fantastic, and the bill was lower than I'd expected. Overall it was a great experience - the people are wonderful, the work was perfect, and I saw so many beautiful rugs at their store that I found myself wishing for a larger apartment. Next time I need any work done on a rug, or find an open bit of floor I know where I'll be heading.

Raven Ziegler

4 years ago

It is always a delight going to the Nazmiyal showroom. This Qashqai is one of several purchases made over the years, and mom is truly enjoying it. Jason and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. They listen to the customeru2019s needs. When I go to the showroom, it is like visiting my family because we have the same appreciation for the textile arts.nnOriental carpets are a rare discipline to be educated in, because you canu2019t go to a university to have certain types of training and experience, such as knowing the cultures and processes of carpet weaving. Jason has such a refined eye that he can distinguish a good rug from a great rug, and that knowledge is offered to the customer to elevate their point of view.nnComing here has been an initiation into a world of culture, art, and beauty which has sustained me, and for that I am grateful.

Emmy C.

Loved my runner rug purchase from Nazmiyal. Love the ability to purchase, try and return if it didn't work out! I had it shipped to California and everything worked out beautifully!

Paul Rousseas

a year ago

NAZMIYAL is the best source for antique and vintage rugs and carpets. Staff is extremely knowledgeable, Jason himself is an amazing dealer who handpicks each and every piece in his stunning collection and is happy to educate the consumer, not just make a sale. I always trust his experience and great eye for all my spaces!

Chelsea Phillips

I had an absolutely wonderful experience working with Nazmiyal. I was very impressed by their selection, the quality of their beautiful carpets, and their extremely reasonable prices. Really I cannot say enough about how helpful everyone at the gallery was - especially Omri, work with him if you can! - and how happy I am with my new antique rug. Five stars, highly, highly recommended!