Q&A: What's the KPSI, Is it Hand Made, Is it from Iran, and What is it Worth?

Question:

Rug Rag,

Here is one to look at.  The shop owner says it is a wool silk mix, and that is it from Iran. It is a 3x5.6, and he wants $2950.  Can you tell me how many knots, whether this is hand or machine (there is no tag), and natural or chemical dye, any more info?

Thanks,

-Anonymous 

Response:  Hello, and thanks for the email.

This is a nice looking hand knotted carpet which is from Iran.  Design is called Bidjar.  In all likelihood, the dyes are chemical.  I cannot determine whether or not it is silk, however, the white accents in the border appear to have silk-like appearance in addition to others.

This rug is probably no older than 15 years old, and may show very light use as detail photograph of the pile height seems to show slight blooming.  If you decide to go with this rug, look for color run, and the possibility of the "silk" being artificial.  We counted kpsi to be 15x17, which equates to 255.  When counting, note this is a two ply yarn with exception to the "silk" which appears to be single wrap.

I cannot pass judgment on the price, as we cannot tell the condition of the rug from the photos.  However, if this were a new rug in perfect condition I would describe the price as a "retail market price."  At this price, you may consider negotiating with the seller.

Here is some reading on our website...  Don't worry, we won't quiz you afterwards :)

Burn test for silk
Hand knotted vs. other
Blooming (scroll down to new vs. old)
Yarn ply
Knot count
Color run

Thanks again for the inquiry,

-Rug Rag 

We look forward to talking with anyone who may have questions on or about Oriental Rugs.  We are an Independent Reviewer, and will give you our opinion for any rug, new or old.  Should you have any questions you would like to submit for a blog entry response, please do so, and be sure to include photographs of your rug.  For more information, please take a look at the bottom of this page, or feel free to Contact Us at Info@RugRag.com

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For all those interested in submitting a question to the Rug Rag Editors:  We'd be more than happy to help, please send some photographs of the reverse side of the rug very close up with a quarter placed on the knots, plus a picture of the fringe, the whole face of the rug and detail shot of the pile.  If the rug is worn, please include photographs of worn areas.  For rugs of any age, please be sure to check for dry areas, moth damage, odor, and whether or not the rug is straight/has right angles where called for.  If you have any questions about our assessment request feel free to send us an email.  Otherwise, we are looking for something similar to these images posted here. 

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