Persian Rugs Price Guide

Do you know how much Persian rugs are worth and what determines the price of these beautiful pieces of art?

If you’re wondering what makes Persian and Oriental rugs unique, it’s their intricate hand-knotted construction. 100% hand-knotted rugs are made using ancient techniques, woven one knot at a time by the most skilled carpet weavers in the world. The result is an exquisite, built-to-last, magical rug that you can use for a lifetime and hand down for generations. With each rug being a unique work of art, owning one is like owning a piece of history.

In this article, we are exploring how experts price Persian and Oriental Rugs so that you can be an informed buyer. Whether you want to purchase a Persian rug for your home or are just interested in the market, keep reading for insights from the pros!

The way pricing happens can be broken down into three main categories: New Persian Rugs, Semi-Antique Persian rugs, and Antique Persian rugs – So the first thing to do is to determine the age of the rug.

 

Table of Contents

Video Explanation of How Experts Price of Persian Rugs

There are no hard and fast rules when evaluating Persian rugs. Because these rugs are hand knotted, there is usually some degree of discrepancy between any two pieces produced by different weavers, even if they are woven using the same standards.

That’s not surprising at all. Just by virtue of being hand Knotted, there is bound to be little and large differences in the patterns and the colors used as well as the size of the motifs and even in the density of the weave itself.

Persian Rug in Living Room
The Price Of A Persian Rug Depends On Several Factors.

Does Size Matters in Rug Pricing

Yes, size definitely matters in rug pricing with a few notable exceptions. In general, a larger sized rug will cost much more than its smaller counterpart. This is because of a couple of reasons.

Firstly, it costs more to obtain and process the raw material for a larger rug. Secondly, it takes much longer for the weaver to complete a larger piece.

For every inch that is added to the length or width of a rug, the weaver has to put in that many more hours to make more knots within that 1 inch square area. Both of these reasons fully justify the higher price point.

The only exception is when comparing a smaller rug that has a very intricate design and is made of silk with a larger woolen rug with a more basic design.

How are Persian Rug Prices Determined

Pricing a Persian rug is like pricing a piece of art. Neither is an easy task.

There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when determining their value and putting a price on each piece. Some of these are tangible factors, while others are a little less so.

New Persian Rugs

The price of a New Persian rug is impacted by a large number of factors. When you are looking at New Persian rugs this refers to a rug that is up to 5 years old.

Here are 10 things that can affect the price of New Persian rugs:

Cost of labor

The labor used to produce a New Persian rug is an important expense. Every year, the cost of labor increases – including costs associated with materials and design – resulting in higher prices for consumers.

When a rug is handmade from start to finish, weavers need to be paid for their skill and artistry. Every knot is tied by hand, and this means that when the rug is complete, its creator has put in countless hours of labor.

As a result, when buying a new rug it’s important to consider these costs as they can have a substantial impact on the price of a rug.

Material

The material costs, such as raw materials, dyes, and threads that go into a rug all play a part in the final price. Every material used in the rug such as whether the foundation is made of cotton, wool, or silk can affect the cost.

The higher the quality of materials the higher the price point. This can be affected by where the material is sourced from or where it comes from.

Similarly to the costs of labor, the cost of materials goes up every year. Meaning that the newer a rug is the more expensive the material costs are likely to be.

Raw Materials For Natural Dyes
Raw Materials For Natural Dyes

Design and Colors

Persian rugs are a piece of art and because of this the aesthetic value of the rug plays a role in its cost. If the colors in the design match and create a cohesive and harmonious design, it is more desirable and the price increases based on the design.

Uniqueness

The more uncommon a design and color are the more desirable it is, giving it more value.

When a color is not made very often or it is a one-of-a-kind pattern the prices are likely to increase to reflect the uniqueness of the rug. There is a greater demand for rugs that are original and unlike the others.

Tehran Rug From Persia
Tehran Rugs Is Very Hard To Find. The Pattern Is Hunting And Very Difficult To Weave.

Skills of Craftsmanship

The more experienced and skilled the weavers are the higher quality fine Persian rug you are getting. If they are working under a master weaver you can expect even higher of quality, increasing the rugs price. This is because the more even and consistent a rug is the higher the quality and finished product it is.

The experience of weavers helps to play a part into their ability at producing consistent pieces. This especially occurs when weavers are working on large rugs, where multiple weavers are working at the same time and they need to be synchronized to create an even weave.

 

Straightness & Symmetry

The straightness of a rug is a factor of its craftsmanship. Do the sides of the rug look straight?

While some variance occurs because they are hand-woven pieces, the more exact they are the greater the price. This also comes into play for the symmetry of designs. If a medallion is an exact mirrored image on both sides the greater the price.

Weaver Working On A Loom
A Straight and Symmetrical Handknotted Rug Could Demand A Higher Price.

Knot Density

The knot density is impacted by the design of the rug.

Heriz rugs with geometrical designs don’t need high-knot densities but a rug with a Tabriz design with lots of floral patterns and intricate design will need a higher knot count to create more detailed and intricate imagery.

The higher knot count allows for a clearer design with more intricate details. While a high knot count is an indicator of price, it is mainly a reflection of the style of the rug.

When it comes to knot density, you should know that this is a factor that is used only in the city rugs. It is not something that is taken into consideration in a village or tribal rugs.

Tribal rugs typically have a low knot density as these weavers do not have access to sophisticated weaving equipment or tools.

However, these rugs have a rustic beauty that goes beyond knot counts. The beauty and value of village rugs lie in their simple designs and natural dyes.

Type of Rug

A Persian rug like a Tabriz rug has a lot of brand recognition and are the most popular style of Persian rug, this gives it a higher price because there is a higher demand. The brand helps to determine the popularity of a rug and indicate the price point.

Workshop

Rugs that are made in a workshop tend to be more expensive, especially if it is a well know workshop or under a master weaver. This is similar to brand recognition and the trust of quality that is created by buying one of the most popular workshops.

If you are curious to learn more about what workshops to look out for when buying check out 8 Famous Persian Rug Workshops.

Where the Rug is Purchased

If the rug was purchased from a middleman, they will take a cut of the price but if the rug is purchased directly from the workshop, village or tribe the price tends to be lower as there isn’t an extra person that is getting paid.

Catalina rugs source directly from workshops, and tribes to get the best prices possible on all of the rugs we offer.

Semi-Antique Persian Rugs

Semi-antique or vintage Persian rugs are rugs that are between 60-70 years old, all of the factors that affect the price of a new Perisan rug still affect the cost of Semi-Antique Persian rugs but there is one new factor that is now relevant – the health of the rug.

The health of the rug can be seen in the condition, color run and wear that is present on a rug.

Tabriz 11' 3" X 16'3"
A 60-70 Year Old 11' 3" X 16'3" Tabriz Rug

Condition

Condition refers to if any repairs have been made to the rug. If there have been any repairs made, the price point decreases depending on the severity of the repair, and especially if the repair is visible.

A rug that has not had any repairs will be at a higher price point.

Color Runs

Over time when a rug has been washed it is possible for the colors to run. This is why it is recommended to make sure you are having it cleaned by professionals to minimize the risk of damage to a rug.

When color running is present it decreases the price of the rug depending on the severity.

Wear

Wear refers to the way the pile has been worn down. If the pile has worn evenly it will be less noticeable and give the rug a higher price.

To ensure a rug wears evenly it is important to rotate the rug so that where people walk on it is even across the rug and not only focused on one area.

Pricing

The price of a semi-antique Persian rug tends to be lower than a New Persian rug because the costs of materials are rising every year so an older rug will have less material and labor costs as well as the possibility for the price to be affected by its rug health.

Antique Persian Rugs

Antique Persian rugs are rugs that are 100 years old or older. They are affected by everything that is included in the pricing of New and Semi-antique rugs but have a few more factors that impact the final price. This includes the age, artistry and rarity of the rugs.

Bakhtiari 4'9" x 6'9"
A 110-120 Year Old 4'9" x 6'9" Bakhtiari Rug

Age

The older a Persian rug is the greater its value. This is if all variables remain the same, so if a 100 year old rug is in a similar condition as a 200 year old rug, the value of the 200 year old rug will be greater.

The older a rug is the more history and value it presents. With new rugs, similar ones can still be made but with rugs that are 100s of years old they become more rare and less common to find giving them an increased value.

Artistry

Similarly to the importance of design and color in new and semi-antique rugs, the artistry and design comes into play for the price of an antique rug. The more unique the design and coloring the more valuable the piece is.

Rarity

For antique Persian rugs, rarity can be a huge factor. For example, when a rug comes from a workshop that no longer exists it becomes even more valuable because it is more uncommon to find pieces once they are no longer being made.

People like to have one of a kind pieces, and are willing to pay more for rare and unique pieces.

Persian rug prices can vary greatly depending on the age, rarity and condition of the rug. This guideline is a great way to help you better understand how rugs are priced.

Do Antique Rugs Appreciate

Age can add or detract to the value of a rug. In general antique rugs are considered timeless pieces with their unique designs, precision techniques, and superior quality. When creating these rugs, weavers focused on quality rather than the affordability factor.

Each piece was like a labor of love with the weaver taking the time to focus on every little detail. An antique rug that is well maintained and in excellent condition can be worth a cool fortune.

Rug collectors consider antique rugs as a worthy investment that is sure to appreciate in value as it gets handed down to the next generations.

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21 thoughts on “Persian Rugs Price Guide

  1. I brought a 10 x 7.7″ rug at an estate sale. Colors have green, blue, blue gray, tan, red and designs are small birds, vases, Rose’s, carnations that are distributed on borders and throughout.
    The people had fine furniture, but nothing newer or decorated newer than 40 or 50 years.
    Kpsi 196, by my count. What type might it be?

  2. Hi Rose,

    Many years ago (2001) my husband and I got lucky when a rug store near us went out of business, and we were able to buy a silk rug made in Qom for a small price. We knew nothing about silk rugs or Qom, so we didn’t realize its value and used it daily in our bedroom. The colors are beautiful and soft in a palette of dusty rose, steel light blue, gray, ivory, teal and maroon. It is 6.5″ x 9.11″. It is hand made. I can enclose a picture if you’d like. We love our rug, and we’d like to know more about it if you can tell us.

  3. I purchased a 9×12 rug from a rug dealer in Chicago 30 years ago. It is in perfect condition and we loved the beautiful colors and design. I am trying to get an approximate value because the moving company lost the rug. If I remember correctly the knot count was somewhere around 200 but can’t be sure I have two current pictures of the rug that were taken right before we moved. Can you help me.

    1. We appriser only rug that purchase from us.Because we don’t carry chines rugs we don’t have any idea about the price.

  4. Hi,
    I have a beautiful khayyam poetry-style wool&silk Persian (Esfahan) carpet, about 3’7″ x 5’10” that I want to sell but don’t know how to price it. I bought it in Esfahan about 35 years ago. I have a picture of it but don’t know how to send it so you can see.
    Can you help me please? Thanks.

    1. Dear Mahin,
      You should sale your rug in Persian stores since the buyer of this rug most possible to be
      persian.

  5. Hi Rose,

    I have a fine 3’x5′ (3’5″ x 5’3″ to be exact) Silk & Wool, Qom carpet. I would like to know more about it and the roughly value. Can you please help me with that? How can I send you the pictures?

    Thank you in advance.

  6. I have some beautiful Persian rugs that were made in Iran by hand, I’d like to actually get appraisals and sell them. I live in an area where there is no Persian appraisers. What would be my next step in getting them appraised and sold. I will send pictures privately. But need to know that if you can’t appraise them then what is my next option.
    Do I try to contact something like Christies or Sotheby’s etc. they were appraise many years ago at very high prices.

  7. Hi, I have a Bijar old rug from my great grand father that goes back to 100 years ago. I was wondering how can I get an estimate for it? Thanks

  8. Great insights, thank you for the information. I have a silk rug made in Qom circa 1990. It is a medallion center pole design and is in excellent condition. The colors are rich and beautiful and they shimmer in intensity as the angle of the light changes. The field is ivory; border light blue; and accents are ivory, brown, green , blue and coral. It is 6.4″ x 9.3″ and the knot is Persian Senneh. I LOVE IT! I’ll send you a couple pictures.

  9. Dear Rose,

    I have a beautiful Persian carpet, about 6’6″ x 9’9” that I want to sell but don’t know how to price it. I bought it in Dubai just before Corona. I have a picture of it but dont know how to upload the pictures. Can you help me please? I would greatly appreciate a quick response.

  10. Rose: we purchased a Persian over 35 years ago. We paid approx $8500 at the time, How would I be a=to access the value today as we ae downsizing and would like to sell it. I am happy to send an image It is beaufitul.

    1. Dear Patricia,
      You could send me pictures and I will let you know some information I couldn’t give you any value without seeing it in person.

  11. Are you able to give me an indication of value for my two Persian Shiraz wool and hand knotted rugs, as I wish to sell them.

  12. Hi, I realize you cannot provide a value but I’m at a lost to try and help my Daughter with three Persian/oriental rugs that have been stolen
    out of her storage area. The three Persian/oriental rugs were part of an inheritance past down form her Great Great grandfather
    and are at minimum 75- 100 years old.
    Any thoughts would be appreciated as we want to place an insurance claim.
    I do not have pictures of the three but several that we kept at our home, the three that she took were in better shape but same age.
    I would send pictures but do not know how to send via this reply.
    Thanks,John

    1. Dear John,
      Thank you for reaching out to us, we really appreciate your recognition of our expertise.

      The appraiser has to see and check the details of the rug closely for a professional rug value appraisal. This can only be done in-person and the process can take several hours depending on multiple factors.

  13. Hi Rose!

    I have a 9×12 Iranian rug from 1832…. Who and where do I go for an appraisal especially if I am not in a huge city? The rug does not have sentimental value to me so I am curious what it is worth, but have no where to start! Any recommendations?

    Katie

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