Persian Rug Sales On The Rise, But Why Are They So Expensive?

Natural Area Rugs Blog Staff

Natural Area Rugs Blog Staff

Persian rugs or carpets of any type is a piece of art that doesn't require any introduction. These rugs have been handmade and decorated beautiful with designs, motifs, and colors.  But why are Persian rugs so expensive? Some of the more recognizable rugs can cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Is this cost justifiable?

persian rugs

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Today, these rugs have become fashionable, elegant, and collectible items. The exquisite designs and intricate patterns of these rugs have mesmerized people from ancient times. Even kings, emperors, and queens used to adorn their palaces with Persian rugs.

What Makes a Persian Rug, a Persian Rug?

Persian rugs are one of the most distinctive and beautiful types of carpets, prized by people from all over the world. They were traditionally woven in Persia, a land that spans the borders of modern day Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey. These ancient rugs have been treasured for centuries, and are now highly sought after by collectors worldwide. In recent years, there has been an increase in the popularity and sales of these rugs.

Persian rugs are woven by hand using wool and other natural materials, such as cotton. These rugs are often hand-knotted, which creates a unique pattern and texture for each piece. The tradition of weaving rugs in the Persian culture and style can be traced back over 2,000 years, making them some of the oldest and most valuable works of art in existence.

What Makes Persian Rugs Such an Expensive Rug?

They Are Handmade Rugs

A lot of people think that the price of a Persian rug is too high. They believe that they can get a good quality rug for a lower price by shopping around and buying from the local store. But this is not always true. Many rugs are being sold as “Persian” when they are not at all. It is important to know the difference between a good quality handmade Persian rug and a cheap imitation.

A true handmade Persian rug will be woven using antique traditional methods, on a hand-loom, and with a very specific color palette and style. A cheap imitation rug will be made from mass-produced, machine-made materials that often have inferior quality, colors and textures, and will often have inferior knots.

A true Persian rug is handmade by the weavers themselves in their own workshops. This means that each rug is unique and there are no two alike. You will never see two rugs with the same pattern or color. A true handmade, traditional Persian rug can be made out of different types of materials, including wool, silk, and cotton. The weavers have the freedom to create new designs on the rugs, which gives them a completely different look. They also have the ability to add a variety of details to the design such as knots, tassels, and borders. The weavers use natural dyes to color the rugs. The colors are not pre-mixed but created in the process of dying the fabric. This gives the rug a truly unique look. 

handmade persian rug making

Hand Knotted & Labor Intensive

Handmade Persian rugs are labor-intensive. 

It is hard to say exactly how much time and work goes into making a Persian rug, but it is estimated that the average hand-knotted rug can take over a year to make.

Each rug is made by hand from start to finish. The weaver will start with the foundation and then begin to weave in the design.

Once the weaving is finished, the rug is stretched out and a final dying process takes place. After this is completed, the rug is ready to be finished with knots, tassels, borders and other details.

The weavers are not limited to using one color in a single design. They can use as many colors as they like. They have the freedom to create different patterns and designs that can be very elaborate or simple. The weavers use traditional methods that date back thousands of years. The colors are created in the dying process and are not pre-mixed.

The quality of the rug will vary depending on the style of the weaver, the materials used, and the techniques employed.

Intricate Designs

The exquisite design and intricate patterns of Persian rugs are impressive and hard to miss.

It is no wonder why people are so attracted to these beautiful rugs. It is also no surprise that people spend so much time admiring them and are willing to pay a premium price for them. They are a true work of art and a true reflection of the skill and expertise of the weavers who made it. The patterns can be very complex.

There are different types of designs and different types of patterns. Some are geometric, some floral, and others are abstract. Today, most of the traditional patterns have been preserved, but there is still a wide range of patterns available. 

Authentic Persian Rugs Are Made From Natural Fibers

persian rug made with natural fibers

Persian rugs are typically made from wool and silk that come from naturally-raised sheep and silk worms.

This makes them a more environmentally-friendly choice than synthetic materials. The beauty of a Persian rug is that they are incredibly durable. The wool, silk, and cotton are carefully woven together to create a smooth surface that won’t easily wear out. This means you can enjoy your rug for years to come. In addition, the weaving process makes them a great choice for the environment.

Geographical Place of Production

A hand-made persian rug’s geographical place of production is very important in determining its true value. Hand-made rugs from Iran are considered some of the most expensive in the world, due to the intricate designs and high quality of the materials used.

Unique and One of a Kind

multiple persian rugs hanging on wall

Authentic Persian rugs are unique and one of a kind, which makes them very valuable. 

Each rug is handcrafted by the weavers and the artisans who create the designs, patterns and colors that make each rug truly unique.

As a result, you will never find two rugs that are exactly the same. This is the key element that separates a true Persian rug from a machine-made rug.

Persian Rugs FAQs

Are Persian Rugs Worth The Money?

This is one of those questions that is better left to the professional rather than the novice. A good quality Persian rug will last a lifetime and can appreciate in value over time. For those reasons alone, people find them to be worth every dollar spent. 

How Expensive Are Real Persian Rugs? 

Real Persian rugs can be expensive. The cost depends on the quality of the rug and the size of the rug.

Persian rugs are valued for the quality of their construction and the intricate designs woven into them. 

But how much does all that really add up to?

The simple answer is that Persian rugs vary in price greatly. Some are quite affordable, while others can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The factors that affect rug prices include the level of quality, the size (larger rug vs smaller rug), and the rarity of the rug.

The average price of a real Persian rug is anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. The smallest rugs go for around $300 to $500. The average Persian rug will cost you at least $1,500.

Are Persian Rugs The Most Expensive Type of Rug?

The most expensive rug ever sold, anywhere in the world happens to be a Persian rug. It sold for a whopping $33 million. 

How Can You Tell if a Persian Rug is Authentic?

One way to tell if a Persian rug is authentic is to look for a stamped or sewn label. These are usually found on the border of the rug, and indicate that the rug has been inspected and approved by the Iranian government.

Checking for the authenticity of a Persian rug is quite easy. Every genuine Persian rug is labeled. The Iranian government has an official seal for authentic antique Persian rugs. This seal is the logo of the Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization and contains the inscription “This product is a handicraft, and has been registered in the Iranian national registry as an Iranian cultural heritage product.” If a rug displays this seal, it is authentic.

Along with this, make sure the label states that the place of origin is Iran. Rug Source has a great breakdown of other items to look for in determining if the Persian rug is authentic. 

How Long Do Persian Rugs Last?

The life of a Persian rug depends on several factors, including the type of rug, the amount of sun and light it receives, and how well it is taken care of.

Many believe that Persian rugs have an “indefinite life span.” This is because the quality of the wool used for the rug is high and it is hand-woven on traditional looms.

In a normal setting, 20 and 50 years is a typical lifespan for these rugs. However, this number can be lower or higher depending on how well maintained the rug is. 

In summary, Persian rugs are handmade and can take years to complete, and are expensive because of the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into them, not to mention the expertise of the weavers and the natural fiber used in creation of the area rug. They are masterpieces of design, color and craftsmanship. The care they take in making them is apparent in the finished product. The price reflects that. 

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