How to buy a Persian rug

Inspect the piece

Turn it over. Hand-knotted pile shows individual knot nodes and slight row irregularity; machine-made pile is perfectly uniform and often has a glued or serged edge. The fringe should be the carpet's own warp ends, not a band stitched on.

Check wear honestly. Even low pile is not a fault in an older carpet, but reweaves, painted-in areas and reduced sizes should be disclosed and reflected in the price.

Questions worth asking

Ask for evidence rather than reassurance, and note which answers come with documentation.

• Where was it woven, and how is that known?
• Is the pile wool, silk, or a blend — and has it been tested?
• Are the dyes natural, synthetic, or both?
• Has it been repaired, rewoven or reduced in size?
• What is the return policy if an independent assessment disagrees?

Claims to treat with care

Phrases like fully authentic, museum quality and certified antique carry no fixed meaning on their own. A specific condition report, a named conservator or a dye analysis does. Where a seller is honest about uncertainty, that is a good sign rather than a bad one.