| In the carpet industry, a rug is termed as antique if it | | | | circumstances in which they were made - either as |
| has been produced prior to the year 1900. It does not | | | | Workshop carpets (made on commission by people |
| matter where it was manufactured or what the style | | | | who could afford them) or Tribal rugs (made by |
| is, if it is over a hundred years old then it is an antique | | | | nomadic tribesmen for their own use, and not for the |
| rug. Such antique rugs were considered as a major | | | | purpose of being sold). Having rectilinear or abstract |
| luxury during the old times. The traits of such rugs may | | | | geometrical designs, tribal rugs are also known as |
| differ though. Some may have a different weaver, | | | | Kilims. These rugs are woven on narrow, portable |
| design or materials. But they are almost always | | | | looms, giving them their trademark minute size. Though |
| derived from natural sources such as plants, animals or | | | | the weavers of such rugs are mostly illiterate, they |
| minerals. We mention it as almost always because the | | | | have evolved a complex language, a symbolism of |
| creation of synthetic dyes were applied during the | | | | Kilim motifs, through which they express their |
| 1870s and may have influenced the craftsmanship of | | | | innermost feelings and desires. |
| such antique rugs. Although the synthetic dye makes a | | | | How to Maintain an Antique Rug |
| good first impression, a rug colored using natural dyes | | | | Tips on how to maintain your antique rugs are also |
| has the unique ability of growing more beautiful as it | | | | listed in this article so as to keep the antique rug |
| ages. Unlike it's counterpart, the synthetic dyes tend to | | | | owners aware on the proper maintenance procedures. |
| fade too quickly and less admirably as time passes. | | | | Below are the most important factors: |
| Types of Antique Rugs | | | | - Keep your carpet aligned by putting a rug pad |
| In terms of design, an antique hand-knotted rug falls | | | | underneath the antique carpet. This is the easiest way |
| into either two of its basic genres: | | | | to discourage uneven wear from your rugs. |
| * Oriental - Antique Oriental rug are generally named | | | | - Make sure you use furniture slides if you place |
| after the city, town or village from where they were | | | | furniture over your antique rugs. |
| made. Take for example a Persian rug which can be | | | | - Periodically rotate your carper so that no one side |
| sub-classified as Tabriz, Kerman, Kashan, Serapi, Heriz, | | | | wears out completely. |
| Sultanabad, which are actually Persian towns and | | | | - Especially after a wet weather, air your antique rugs |
| villages. Each rug originator usually feature designs, | | | | at least once a year. Bright sunshine is the best |
| flora and indigenous materials that are unique to their | | | | antidote to moths and warms the rug to make it |
| area. It is by these means that their creations can be | | | | softer. |
| distinguished from other kinds Over the years, the | | | | - Inspect the underside of the carpet for moth |
| design of these antique rugs have remained the same. | | | | damage. If there is any, your dealer will recommend |
| Only their sizes have changed to accommodate | | | | appropriate treatment. |
| today's fashion trends. | | | | - Vacuum your rug on a daily basis. Make sure you |
| * European - Types of European carpets include the | | | | vacuum in the direction of the pile. If not followed |
| Savonnerie (pile carpets) and the Aubusson (tapestry). | | | | correctly, the pile will begin to look discolored since |
| Following the ancient traditions, only the French king | | | | fibers in different directions will reflect light differently. |
| could own a Savonnerie carpet during the sixteenth | | | | Caring for you antique rugs is not a difficult task to do. |
| and seventeenth centuries. This led to the | | | | Diligence in following the proper maintenance guidelines |
| development of the Aubusson, a flat-woven rug that is | | | | is the key to achieving a prized heirloom. By following |
| similar to the royal rugs.. | | | | such tips, you can be assured that the beauty of your |
| Antique rugs were also classified on the basis of the | | | | vintage rugs will last for a very long time. |