Oriental Rugs
Selling Oriental & Antique Rugs in Southern California
I Buy It buys hand-knotted Persian and other oriental rugs, antique and vintage city and tribal pieces, and room-size and larger rugs. The single biggest factor in value is construction. Hand-knotted weaving, visible as a clear pattern on the back, separates a collectible rug from a machine-made or tufted one.
What we buy
- Hand-knotted Persian and other oriental rugs
- Antique and vintage city rugs
- Antique and vintage tribal rugs
- Room-size and larger pieces
How to tell if it’s valuable
- It is hand-knotted, with the pattern clearly visible on the back. This is the main separator from machine-made and tufted rugs.
- It has a fine weave, natural dyes, and a recognizable city or tribal origin. Age and condition also matter. A higher knot count allows finer detail, but it is not the only measure of value.
- The ends and selvages are intact and original. The fringe should continue from the warp threads, not be sewn or glued on.
- It has not been cut down or heavily repaired.
How to identify it
- Flip a corner. A hand-knotted rug shows individual knots and a clear pattern on the back. Machine-made shows an even, uniform grid. Tufted has a glued backing.
- Count the knots. Count knots across one inch horizontally and one inch vertically on the back, then multiply for knots per square inch. Coarse tribal rugs often run 40 to 100, village rugs 100 to 200, fine city rugs 200 to 400, and silk masterpieces higher.
- Check the fringe. Original fringe continues from the warp threads. Sewn-on fringe is a red flag.
- Check the edges. Look for original selvages rather than rebuilt or overcast edges.
- Labels. Older rugs are often unsigned. Newer imported hand-knotted rugs may carry a fiber and country label. Attribution otherwise comes from weave, knot type, dyes, and design.
What usually isn’t valuable
- Machine-made rugs, identifiable by a uniform grid on the back and a latex or cloth backing. Resale is limited.
- Hand-tufted rugs with a glued scrim backing. These are not hand-knotted.
- Severely worn, cut-down, or heavily repaired rugs without documentation. Buyer interest drops.
How to photograph it for an evaluation
- Full rug laid flat, shot from above
- Both sides, front and back
- Close-up of the back showing the knots or the grid
- Close-up of the fringe and the side edges
- Close-ups of any damage, stains, or repairs
- One shot with something for scale
Common questions
How do I know if my rug is hand-knotted?
Flip a corner and look at the back. Hand-knotted rugs show individual knots and a clear pattern. A perfectly uniform grid or a glued backing means machine-made or tufted.
Does a higher knot count mean a more valuable rug?
Not automatically. Knot count allows finer detail, but origin, dyes, age, and condition matter too. A coarse antique tribal rug can outsell a finer contemporary city rug.
My rug has no label. Can it still be identified?
Yes. Older rugs are usually unsigned, and attribution comes from the weave, knot type, dyes, and design rather than a label.
What does sewn-on fringe mean?
It is a warning sign. Original fringe is a continuation of the warp threads, so a sewn or glued fringe suggests machine-made construction or a repaired end.
Is a worn rug still worth sending?
It depends on the extent. Severe wear, cut-down size, and heavy undocumented repair reduce interest, so photograph the damage clearly and we’ll tell you what we see.
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Send photos through the form on our site, by email, or by text. We respond within 24 hours. We serve Southern California: Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.
Have an oriental rug?
Send photos of the front, the back, and the fringe.