7th Anniversary312 www.antiquesandfineart.com

Best: “Star Kazak,”

circa 1880. In excellent

condition with no restoration

The concept of “good, better, and best”is difficult to apply in the world ofantique Oriental rugs because per-

sonal taste is so much a part of what makes onerug more interesting than the next. For thepurposes of this article I will use the followingdefinitions: A “good” rug is attractive and fitsany lifestyle; a “better” rug is one that youcould trade in to upgrade or resell (This wouldbe a rug that is at least seventy years old and infairly good condition, with no alterations to thedesign or color, and with reasonably limitedrestoration.); “best” rugs are those that areunique, truly old, in good condition, and arespecial within their own categories.

The main elements that determine valueare color, artistry, rarity, and condition.Weave is important, but usually only in thatthe weave is appropriate for the design.Geometric designs do not require fineweaves; curvilinear designs done in a coarseweave usually look unappealing. The knotcount is not the most important determina-tion of value for most old rugs.

Current taste often plays a role in deter-mining which rugs are considered best at anygiven time. For several years, rugs with verylimited or muted color from the areas ofSultanabad, Oushak, and Mahal in Persia(Iran) have been considered so desirable thatsome retailers have altered brighter rugs by“stripping” out the color. This might make fora “good” rug if that is your taste; in otherwords, it has fashionable colors you can livewith it, but it won’t very likely have resalevalue. A “better” rug would be one that hasnaturally soft color, but may have had somerestoration, or perhaps is not quite as old.(The key in the middle category is to findsomething that has not been substantively“remade.) The “best” rug would be a beau-tiful, antique carpet in reasonably goodcondition, with only minor restoration and allof its original color.

A regional category that receives a lot ofattention is that of Caucasian rugs. They areusually brilliantly colored, strong geometric

7th Anniversary Antiques & Fine Art 313

tribal pieces from the villages of the CaucusMountain area near the Caspian Sea — whatis now Georgia. “Good” Caucasian rugs aregenerally from the first quarter of the twen-tieth century, have classic designs, and werewoven for export. In today’s market, youmay find these rugs with extensiverebuilding, or with colors that have beenchanged. “Better” Caucasian rugs would bethe late nineteenth to early twentieth centuryexamples that may have some aniline colors,but are still in fairly good condition. It isimportant to remember that chemical dyescame into use in this part of the world in thelate nineteenth century. Many rugs that havesmall amounts of aniline dye are well over100 years old and, more importantly, werewoven before the truly commercial era. Forcollectors, the “best” Caucasian rug is agreat, classic, example clearly from the nine-teenth century or earlier that is strongartistically and in good condition.

There are many other categories ofOriental rugs and each one has a slightly dif-ferent set of qualifications, though in generalthe date ranges conform to those used abovefor the Caucasian rugs. In all categories greatcolor and classic design are always preferred;in some of the more tribal types of rugs thereis a wonderful sophistication to even thesimplest designs.

Better: Perpidil, circa 1900.

In good condition;

with some analine color.

GoodBetter

Bestin Antique Oriental Rugs

by Karen DiSaia

focus

7th Anniversary314 www.antiquesandfineart.com

So much of what is desirable in the rugmarket is in the eyes of the beholder. Eachrug is individual; rarely will an exact dupli-cate be found. The unique color andcharacter of each rug should be appreciated.In today’s world, where you can buy anything from a catalog or online, isn’t itnice to think that there are still wonderfulthings that are absolutely one of a kind andhave a history and energy that connect us toall of humanity?

The Antiques Council is a nonprofit profes-sional organization of expert dealers in antiquesand fine art. It mandates and maintains thehighest ethical and professional standards inmembership and show management. Focus isits educational program to which memberscontribute articles regarding their specialties.Visit www.AntiquesCouncil.com

Karen DiSaia and her husband Ralph are the owners of Oriental Rugs, Ltd., Old Lyme, CT, specialists in antique rugs,conservation, and restoration. They are on the board of the Antiques Council andKaren is on the board of the ADA.

Good: Derbent, circa 1910. This is a charming rug

and is now in good overall condition; it has had a

large area of damage rewoven

Most old rugs will have had some workdone over time. This is acceptable if it isminor and in the spirit of conservation.When buying rugs it is important toinquire about restoration and to avoidrugs that have too much work; especiallythose that have been touched up withpaint to disguise wear.

Good: Rugs that have had major repair orcolor changes but have visual appeal andare priced according to their condition.

Better: Rugs in good condition that havenot had major damage or restoration.This can include rugs with even wearthat still have an overall pile. These rugsmay be missing a minor guard border orhave some repairs from moth damage orholes. Rugs that maintain original colorand that have not been tampered with orchanged in any way.

Best: Rugs in excellent condition withlittle or no restoration and that havebeen properly maintained over time.

Conditions to avoid: Rugs that havebeen substantially rebuilt; rugs thathave been painted; thin rugs with verylittle life left; colors that have beenplucked out and changed to make themmore desirable; color changes from anacid or gold bath.

suggested reading

Thompson, Jon, Oriental Carpets fromthe Tents, Cottages and Workshops ofAsia. Penguin Books, 1988.

Schurmann, Ulrick. Caucasian Rugs.Allen and Unwin, London, 1964.

Denny, Walter. Oriental Rugs. CooperHewitt Museum 1979.

conditionconcerns