When in the market for an area rug you may ask how to identify the best quality. Today we look at how to identify a high quality imported area rug in Seattle.
Here's what to look for...
The number of knots within a rug determines the density, durability, and clarity of pattern; the more knots, the higher the quality. Less knots means a looser weave, a looser weave means the rug will be less able to withstand and uphold against foot-traffic and general use without incurring visible damage sooner than a higher quality rug.
There are many kinds of dyes used to take wool from shades of white and brown to vibrant and rich shades of blue, green, pink, yellow, and red. When purchasing a rug, you want to be sure the dyes used are either organic vegetable dyes or derived from high grade pigments.
The amount of time and labor spent on creating a handmade imported or oriental rug varies from design house to design house and from country to country. Authentic Persian rugs have earned the reputation of being the highest quality because of the perfected weaving techniques used in Iran. A sharp pattern means more time and hand-labor was taken to build a clear and precise design.
Whether the rug was made in Persia or another country, the best area rugs are hand-woven with Persian wool. Other countries like India, Pakistan, and China will import fine Persian wool to improve their final product. In Iran, the sheep that are raised to be sheered are fed an optimal diet to yield softer and stronger wool.
Data source: Main Street