Nazmiyal Provides antique Rug Appraisals and Persian Oriental Carpet Appraisal Services
You may want to review: Ultimate Guide To Buying Area Rugs | How To Sell Your Rugs
Who can accurately appraise rugs?
Only people who deal with antique rugs on a daily basis can determine their true current value, especially in an ever changing market, where particular colors, designs, and technical features fuel the demand for certain types of rugs rather than others. Naturally, rug dealers are the best people equipped to handle rug appraisals as they buy and sell area rugs every single day. But, if you feel that a rug dealer may have a conflict of interest then you should seek-out a reputable and independent rug appraiser.
The appraisal of rugs is a highly specialized field that requires knowledge and expertise in various aspects of the rug industry. To accurately appraise any area rug, it is recommended to consult a qualified and experienced independent rug appraiser who has knowledge of the different types of area rugs, materials, weaving techniques and current market trends.
Certified rug appraisers have undergone specialized training and certification programs offered by reputable rug organizations, such as the International Society of Appraisers or the Oriental Rug Retailers of America. These organizations maintain directories of certified appraisers, which can help you find a qualified professional to appraise your rugs.
What types of rug appraisals are there?
It is important to note that the appraised value of a rug may vary depending on the purpose of the appraisal.
Here are just a few examples of different types of appraisals for area rugs:
- Insurance / replacement value appraisals
- Donation appraisals
- Auction appraisals
- Retail value appraisals
- Cash value appraisals
The type of appraisal requested will affect the price value. For example, the value for insurance / replacement purposes will be different from the value for selling a rug at auction or for donating the rug. Therefore, it is important to communicate your needs and expectations clearly to the appraiser.
How does one appraise a rug?
The appraisal of a rug involves a careful examination and evaluation of various factors that can affect the value of the rug.
Here are some of the key steps that a qualified rug appraiser may follow to appraise a rug:
- Identification: The appraiser will first identify the rug’s origin, age, type, design, and condition. This involves examining the rug’s materials, weaving techniques, dyes, knots, and any repairs or alterations.
- Evaluation of condition: The appraiser will evaluate the rug’s condition, taking into consideration any signs of wear, damage, or restoration. The condition of the rug can affect its value, as well as its ability to withstand wear and tear.
- Market analysis: The appraiser will research the current market trends and values for rugs that are similar to the one being appraised. This involves looking at sales data, auction records, and other sources of market information.
- Value determination: Based on the above factors, the appraiser will determine the value of the rug. The value may be determined for various purposes, such as insurance, estate planning, donation, or sale.
It’s worth noting that the appraisal process can vary depending on the rug’s type, age, and origin, as well as the purpose of the appraisal. Therefore, it is important to consult a qualified rug appraiser who has expertise in the specific area rug styles that you want to appraise.
Do used rugs have resale value?
Yes, some older “used rugs” can have resale value. The resale value will depend on various factors such as the age, condition, origin, rarity and design of the rug. A well-maintained, high-quality rug that is in good condition and has a desirable design can retain its value over time, and in some cases, even appreciate in value.
When reselling a used rug, it’s important to have it appraised by a qualified and experienced rug appraiser to determine its current market value. The appraiser will evaluate the rug’s condition, age, origin, and other factors to determine its worth in the current market.
In addition to appraising the rug, it’s important to consider other factors that may affect the resale value. These include the demand for the rug, the location and competition of the market where it is being sold, and the marketing strategy used to sell the rug.
Overall, used rugs can have resale value, but the value will depend on a variety of factors that should be carefully evaluated by a qualified rug appraiser before attempting to resell the rug.
You may also want to read: Are Old Rugs Worth Money?
What Determines A Carpet’s Appraisal Value?
Many people think that the art of rug appraisal has some magic formula that can be used to plug in a few facts and come up with a value. There is a common misconception that knot density, or knot count, is the only factor that you need to consider when determining the value of a carpet. However, carpet appraisal is much more complicated than that, and many factors must be considered. In addition, the process becomes even more complicated in the world of fine rugs.
One must consider a wide range of factors in order to determine the value of any antique rugs or vintage carpets. Knowing where a rug or carpet was made, its age, design, coloration, condition, and size are just a few of the many characteristics which aid in establishing a price and value for a rug.
Let’s look at what goes into the appraisal process for a carpet.
Knot Count When Appraising Rugs
First, let’s get the issue of knot count out of the way. Knot count refers to the number of knots that are tied within a certain area. Usually, this is an inch in the USA. It might be noted that in other areas of the world, the unit of measure used is in accordance with their own numerical and mathematical systems.
Determining knot count is an easy process. You turn the carpet over and count the number of rows and columns of knots in an inch and multiply these numbers together. For instance, if there are 10 rows in the inch and 48 knots across, the knot density is 480 knots per square inch, or KPSI.
Most people think that the higher the knot count, the more valuable the rug. For the most part, this is true, but there are certain circumstances where knot count is less important than other factors. Not all areas of the world produced rugs with a high knot density. For instance, tribal rugs may have a typical knot count that is lower than those produced in cities that are known for producing fine rugs, such as Kerman or Isfahan. The knot count must be compared to rugs that are typically produced in the same area when coming up with an appraisal value for the rugs.
Appraising Rugs of Fine Detail
One of the most important factors when establishing a carpet appraisal value is the visual impact of the rug. Rugs that have intricate designs executed in beautiful colors have a higher value than those that are coarser. Once again, this is relative to the types of rugs produced in the local area. The standard against which the rugs are compared must be based on local and regional differences.
More important than the raw number of the knot density on the appraisal value of the carpet is its importance and producing a delicate, fine design. This can be compared to the number of pixels per inch that a camera can produce. You will get a higher amount of detail with a higher number of pixels per inch than you will with a lower pixel per inch count. As you move towards the lower pixels per inch, you may produce photographs that are grainy or difficult to discern. This is the same with Persian rugs.
The higher than knot count, the more detail will be able to be included in the design. Some of the most beautiful rugs in the world have a high knot count, but they are valuable not only for the number of knots but for the effect that it has on the artistry and design of the rug. A higher not count expands the capability of the designer to include greater detail and produce a more intricate design.
Design and Colors Impact on Rug Appraisal Value
The design and colors of the rug play an important role when appraising rugs too. The artistry of some rugs seems to come together in a way that takes your breath away through its combination of color and design. These beautiful masterpieces will bring a higher price than one that is beautiful, but that does not stand out from the rest. In addition, some rug designs are rare, such as the Persian vase designs, tree of life designs and certain types of pictorial carpets. For instance, verdure carpets from France have retained their value as a decorative piece, so they often appraise at a high value.
Certain colors also affect rug’s appraisal value. For instance, green was difficult to dye in certain parts of the world. Therefore, finding a green carpet from that area will make its value higher because of its rarity. However, green is not necessarily a rare color in other parts of the world, and it only affects the appraisal value if it is from a place in the world where greens are more difficult to produce.
Materials and Quality When Appraising Rugs
The materials and quality of the carpet also affect the rug’s appraisal value. Wool is the most common fiber used to create carpets. In more recent carpets, cotton has become a common material for the warp. The fibers and materials are typically not as valuable as those that are rare, such as camel hair, goat hair or silk.
Silk typically brings the highest price because it is complicated to produce and process. It has a lustrous sheen that no other fiber can create, and its colors remain bright over a long period. Silk can also be spun into extremely fine threads, which means that it can produce a fine rug with an intricate design, and consequently a high knot density.
When appraising rugs, the quality of the materials also come into play, as well as the craftsmanship and quality of the rug weaving. Once again, these factors are relevant to the region and locale where the rug originates. One cannot compare a tribal rug to one produced in the weaving workshops and schools of the Persian Empire. You must compare like to like in terms of the carpet’s cultural relevance.
Historical and Antique Rug Appraisal Value
Of course, there is also the historical and antique appraisal value of the rug. In general, older carpets are more valuable because they are rare. However, carpets from certain eras have an even greater added value. For instance, carpets produced during the Golden Age of the Safavid dynasty are highly prized. This was a time when the carpet industry became highly developed into the fine art form that it is today. Also, carpets produced in the late 1880’s by certain master weavers are more valuable.
How Condition Impacts The Rug Appraisal Value
The condition of the rug is another important factor that must be considered when appraising rugs. In general, the better the condition of the rug, the more it will be appraised for. However, this factor may become less important if the carpet is a rare find and a very old antique. One would not expect a highly complex carpet from the 1600’s to be in the same condition as one produced in the last century. Once again, the condition is a factor that is relative to other factors with the carpet.
Appraisals Of Trendy Rugs
Finally, the popularity of certain carpets makes them appraise for higher values than others. One example of how trends affect the rug appraisal value is the carpets produced by the Berber tribes of Morocco. They have a unique design that popular in the mid-20th century and that is still popular in Scandinavian modern interiors and eclectic designs. Therefore, they have undergone a surge in price over the past several years. At various times throughout history, other types of carpets have done this too.
Factors When Appraising Rugs
As you can see, rug appraisers must consider many different factors. Besides, the weight that each of these factors has differs according to the type of carpet, where it was produced, its age and other factors such as current style trends. Carpet appraisal is not a simple process, and there is no simple formula that can determine the valuation of any particular carpet. To become an expert appraiser takes training and years of knowledge that is only gained through experience. In addition, a good appraiser must stay on top of the market and any changes or trends that currently affect the value of carpets in the marketplace.
Nazmiyal Rug Appraising Services
We offer appraisal services and can help you determine the value of a rug you already have or one that you would like to purchase. Our years of experience and expertise in the world of Persian carpets allow us to give you a fair assessment that will help you purchase with confidence.
Our educated and helpful staff will be happy to assist you. Buying, selling and appraising rugs is what we do every single day, and we are pleased to provide you with our knowledge and experience.
If you would like more general information about evaluating and appraising rugs and the different criteria that we use to determine the price then please be kind enough to contact us.
Contact our expert antique oriental rug and Persian carpet appraisers at 212-545-8029 or Email Us
You may also want to read: What’s So Special About Persian Rugs? | Shopping For Area Rugs Online vs Buying Rugs In Person
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