1. In estimating the “value” of any carpet, three distinct qualities are to be considered:
a) Rarity depends on the age of the carpet, the locality where it was made or its type. For instance, Persian carpets made in the 50s are among the rarest.
b) Artistic Beauty depends on the design and coloring. All weavers do not have the same artistic talent. The charm of the carpet depends on the graceful flow of lines, the careful balance of different parts of the patterns and the proper coordination between border and field.
c) As for Utility, one must determine the quality of the material and the dyes. If inferior material is used, the carpet will wear out very fast. On the other hand, the color will run when wet or fade quickly if poor dyes are used.
2. The number of knots itself does not demonstrate the quality of the texture, since a carpet may have fewer knots of coarse diameter and yet firmly woven, but in the same class the better carpet generally has more knots than a poorer one.
3. One must also observe the back of the carpet fully and not just the front. If the back of the carpet shows firmness and skillful painstaking work, the front will correspond with distinct colors and designs.
