Q&A: Very High KPSI and Kashmir Silk Rugs

Question:

-anonymous

Response: 

Hello and Thank You for writing in. We love rugs, and we're glad to hear that you are interested in learning more about them.

The question you have asksed is a good one, so we hope we can answer it as thoroughly as possible. From what I understand, the main objectives in your silk and exceptionally-high-knot-count carpet search are thus: #1: Count the carpet's KPSI, #2: Verify the carpet's fiber, #3: Know the carpet's origin.

#1: KPSI. Generally speaking a KPSI measure in excess of 800 would be considered an unusually high density. In most instances we have almost exclusively seen such such high knot counts of 2400 KPSI isolated to authentic Kashmir or Qum rugs. Of course, the best way to verify any carpet's KPSI is to get down on your hands and knees and count! Because dealers know that most buyers do not know how, or just don't care to count themselves, it is easy for the seller to inflate numbers.

Here is what we suggest: Don't ask, just flip up a corner, drop down a coin, pull out your digital camera, and snap a photo. Counting by hand is of course preferable, BUT in your case with a carpet with an extremely high knot count, this can be time consuming and tedious (as it is easy to lose track). If you do choose to count in person / by hand, you may want to use a needle to help keep count and isolate knots. Here we have a step-by-step guide to count knots for KPSI. 

#2: Fiber. First of all, since using synthetic silk in a carpet with such high knot count would be counter productive, and since silk is such a unique (and obvious) fiber, I think you are pretty safe. However, it doesn't hurt to verify that what you have in front of you is indeed authentic silk, and it's easy. FYI: in order to test the fiber you may need to remove a knot.  Check out how to test the fiber.

#3: Origin. Unfortunately, in most cases you have to rely on the dealer, or seller, to give you accurate information regarding origin. In your situation, it seems like as long as you can rule out China as an origin you are in good shape. From what I have seen, many of the "record-breaking" KPSI rugs come from India, however Persian Qum can get up there, along with a few other varieties. As far as your carpet definitely coming from Kashmir, India... There is no definitive test I can give you, but what I can suggest is: Take a couple of photos like these, and post them to our forum. There you can get professional opinions about your carpet's origin.

Sincerely,

David D.

- Rug Rag

P.S. THE ABOVE IS ASSUMING AND DEPENDENT ON THE CARPET ACTUALLY BEING HAND KNOTTED!!! 

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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