You are wanting to invest in a work of art, but you'd like it to be functional as well? Have you considered buying an oriental rug? High quality Turkish rugs are beautiful and functional pieces of art that can really hold their value. Even better, you can find these rugs to fit most any budget. A large, well constructed handmade carpet can cost as much as four thousand dollars or more, while a small machine made area rug may be priced as low as forty or fifty dollars. If you have a large budget, an antique oriental rug is a wonderful investment.
Turkish rugs are actually something of a misnomer. Although they were made popular in Turkey, they are made throughout the Middle East and some parts of Africa. You will need the help of an expert with a good reputation if you go to this part of the world to buy a rug. Some guides may seem helpful, but are actually getting a percentage of the sale price from shop owners who make deals with them. If you use one of these guides, you will end up paying more.
Before you buy your rugs be aware of the difference in machine made and hand made. The weave will either be perfect or have some irregularities (gaps between the knots). A true hand weave will usually be the one with imperfections. The edges and fringe are another clue to quality. Mass produced rugs are usually not as full or not completely finished.
The best quality Turkish area rugs are very thick and luxurious and made with one hundred percent wool. Some of the better rugs are may be constructed with a blend of wool and silk. On the other end of the price and quality spectrum are rugs that are made with cotton. These rugs will show wear much more quickly and do not have a good resale value. To determine whether you are looking at a wool rug or a cheap cotton imitation, take a close look at the fringe. Wool rugs will be wool down to the last thread, so if the fringe is cotton, the rug is not wool.
Lastly, do not hesitate to check out the various items on sale slowly and carefully. The seller will take this to mean that you are showing the proper respect for his merchandise. After you have made your choice, you can feel free to politely reject the merchant's opening offer. Customers are actually expected to begin the buying process by bargaining. However, the broadest array and the finest deals in Turkish and other oriental rugs are offered to buyers on the Internet.
