| By :
Mark Etinger
Persian rugs are the finest rugs in the world. These hand knotted rugs are made in Iran and use processes that have existed for thousands of years. Oriental rugs made in China, India and Pakistan are often of a high quality, but Persian rugs are superior for being the original rugs that incorporate these lauded techniques. This article is about how to distinguish between the finest Persian rugs. 1. Knots: The back of the carpet will mirror the front - the colors of the rear stitching should be just as vibrant as on the front. You should be able to see any minor imperfections in hand knotted rugs, whereas machine made rugs have a warp-and-weft weaving that looks too structured to be made by hand. The better the rugs, the more knots they have. Some Persian rugs have up to 1,000 knots per square inch. These can take groups of people years to complete. 2. Imperfections: You should be able to fold Persian rugs like you fold t shirts - that is, without any difficulty and breaking of the rug. Your rug should be symmetrical, but that's not to say that it will be perfect. It will be thin if it is handmade. 3. Materials: Silk is the most expensive material used in Persian rugs. Wool is very commonly used in Persian rugs. Lustrous and fine, Persian wool is some of the best in the world. 4. Age: Rugs fade if they are not protected. Sunlight and being walked on are two common ways for the condition of a rug to worsen. Thus, antique (80 years or older) rugs can be very expensive since there are fewer of them in existence and demand remains high. 5. Symbols: You may already own some rugs and want to understand what they were originally meant to mean. The following are some of the more common symbols in Persian rugs: the camel is a sign of wealth and prosperity; the tree of life symbolizes the path from earth to heaven; paisley signifies the flame and the universe, while carnations are symbolic of happiness, and pomegranates of fertility. 6. Ask: Your seller should know about the rug's history if it is a fine rug. He will likely know where and by whom the rug was made. If he bought it in bulk, or from another manufacturer, it is not a good sign and you should warily check the knotting on the back and the overall condition of the rug. Persian rugs are good investments and they look beautiful anywhere in your home - on the floor or on the wall. If you buy from a reputable rug dealer, you shouldn't have any trouble finding excellent
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