How can one tell the difference between a genuine carpet and an imitation?
Here are some reliable indicators. A genuine carpet is knotted, with the pile yarn wrapped around one or more warp threads.
You can easily verify this by folding the carpet vertically with the pile facing up.
Machine-woven jute Wilton can often be confused with knotted carpets, but you won’t find any knots at the bottom of the pile.
Instead, the yarn runs loosely around the warp threads and can be pulled out easily.
The side edge of a genuine carpet tends to be uneven and wavy, featuring yarn in multiple colors. In contrast, a machine-woven carpet has a straight, even side edge that is finished after the weaving process. The fringe on a genuine carpet is always made from the warp and is not knotted. While a machine-woven carpet can also have a fringe made from the warp, it is usually finished, giving it a more artificial look.
When evaluating a carpet, consider the following factors
- Density:
The number of knots per square inch or centimeter is crucial to a carpet’s value, as weavers are compensated based on the number of knots they tie. Wages account for about half of the production costs of a carpet.
- Material:
There is a noticeable difference in cost between high-quality and inferior wool, but this difference is relatively small compared to the overall price of the carpet.
- Colour:
The cost of synthetic dyes can be significantly lower than that of more expensive vegetable dyes.
- Labour:
The intricacy of the pattern can vary greatly in terms of skill. Sometimes, patterns are altered to fit the carpet within specific dimensions, which can affect both the field and the borders. Often, the border pattern does not align properly at the corners.
- Patter:
Simple or minor patterns are less expensive than more complex designs, such as figure patterns. It’s also important to note that high-quality craftsmanship can significantly impact the overall value.
In the case of antique carpets, there is also age, history and condition to be considered.
