What To Look For In A Turkish Rug

So you want to purchase a nice work of art, but you want it functional as well. Perhaps you should consider an oriental rug. High quality Turkish rugs are both functional and exceptionally beautiful works of art that really hold their value well. The best thing about them is that there are rugs in just about any price range, ranging from large handmade carpets that can run more than several thousand dollars, to smaller machine made rugs that can be as inexpensive as forty dollars. For those with a large budget, antique oriental rugs are a great investment.

Turkish rugs are actually something of a misnomer. Although they were made popular in Turkey, they are made throughout the Middle East and some parts of Africa. You will need the help of an expert with a good reputation if you go to this part of the world to buy a rug. Some guides may seem helpful, but are actually getting a percentage of the sale price from shop owners who make deals with them. If you use one of these guides, you will end up paying more.

To make sure you choose the perfect rug, you need to give it some scrutiny. Meticulously inspect the weave of the rug. It is most likely machine made if the weave seems flawless. You will find an irregular weave on a genuine hand woven Oriental carpet, suggest that there may be minor spaces among the various knots. Cut-rate mass produced rugs typically bear ends which are improperly finished or possess skimpy borders.

The best quality Turkish area rugs are very thick and luxurious and made with one hundred percent wool. Some of the better rugs are may be constructed with a blend of wool and silk. On the other end of the price and quality spectrum are rugs that are made with cotton. These rugs will show wear much more quickly and do not have a good resale value. To determine whether you are looking at a wool rug or a cheap cotton imitation, take a close look at the fringe. Wool rugs will be wool down to the last thread, so if the fringe is cotton, the rug is not wool.

Take as much time as you need to look through all of the rugs offered, without worrying that you are bothering the dealer. He will actually consider it a sign of your respect that you are being so careful. You should also be aware that bartering is expected, and the first price the merchant suggests is not set in stone. You will find the best selection and prices if you buy oriental and Turkish rugs online, however.

The best quality Turkish Area Rugs are very thick and luxurious and made with one hundred percent wool. The best selection and the best deals can be found by purchasing your Oriental and Turkish rugs online.

- Caroline Hartford