Carpet & Rug Valuations and Appraisals

Get an online valuation of your carpets or rugs in less than 48 hours. Would you like to know the value of your antique Persian rug or that small rug that has always been in your hallway ? Our carpet specialist will give you an online appraisal, telling you how much your carpet or rug is worth, where it was made and what subject matter it might represent. Simply upload a photograph to get started. The rugs and carpets category covers a wide range of items: from Eastern to European carpets, from the Middle Ages to Arts and Crafts and even contemporary carpets. This category covers all kind of sizes, colours and tastes. Valuations from our specialists can be used to check the value of a carpet or rug before it is bought or sold by you. Appraisals from our carpet specialist can also be used for insurance purposes (subject to your insurance company accepting such certificates) or to satisfy your own curiosity!

Our Carpets and Rugs Expert

Our Carpet expert has worked for Sotheby’s and has substantial knowledge in his specialist field. Having travelled to many of the traditional carpet weaving countries in the Middle East, his understanding of the local cultures and the influences which contribute to exquisite carpet design is unrivalled. During his many years as an auctioneer he has build up a tremendous knowledge of this complex but highly fascinating collecting field. 

The Market for Carpets & Rugs

Exceptional carpets and rugs can bring in high prices and even in today's economy, a textile specialist may surprise you with a strong valuation of a carpet or rug. In 2009, a 400-year-old Persian prayer rug was sold at Sotheby’s for over £2.7 million ($4.1 million). It included inscriptions that indicated it was probably a diplomatic gift to the Ottoman Turks and it may have been given during the peace treaty signings in 1590. Oriental carpets and rugs have always been synonymous of wealth and beauty. They were often featured as symbol of luxury in Old Master Paintings, especially during the Renaissance. The study of these paintings enables one to study the history of carpets. Painters’ names were even used to assign some types of carpets, e.g. ‘Lotto carpets’, ‘Holbein carpets’ as those painters were thought to have first painted those particular rugs. 

History of Carpets and Rugs

Oriental carpets are renowned for their fineness and their delicate designs. From early times, Persia, Anatolia, Turkey, Pakistan and Azerbaijan produced highly desirable items. After the Muslim invasion in Spain and the First Crusades, Oriental carpets began to appear more frequently in Europe. Among the most famous is the Ardabil carpet, which is displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London. It was made in 1539-1540 and is considered as the world’s oldest dated carpet. Its entire surface (10.5 x 5 meters) is covered by a single astounding design. It is now displayed in a large custom made case and lit for ten minutes every half hourin order to preserve its colours.

Rugs and carpets do not necessarily mean the Orient though. Throughout the centuries, European manufacturers tried to supplant the Middle East and Asia. In the early 17th century, they made some of the finest carpets around which were often given as diplomatic gifts. Mr. and Mrs Djahangir Riahi, whose collection sold for $40,324,200 in November 2000, at Christie’s New York, were among the most important collectors for 18th century French decorative arts. They used to own a magnificent Louis XV Savonnerie Carpet, that was woven after the design by Pierre-Josse Perrot, around 1740, almost certainly made for the French Royal Family. It sold for $4,406,000. It was recently offered for sale again at Sotheby’s, in Paris, and bought by Chateau de Versailles’ museum for 2,528,750 €. It is now displayed at the Palace. Designer Karl Lagerfeld used to own a similar example that sold at Christie’s Monaco in April 2000, along with the rest of his collection.
 

Get your online valuation for your carpet or rug today

A valuation of your carpets or rugs from Value My Stuff's specialist is easy, fast and completely confidential. Just upload a photograph and tell us anything else you know about the item. One of our three dedicated specialists will get back to you within 48 hours with an appraisal of your item. You will receive a report about your item from our expert, as well as a printable certificate. The carpet specialist will also provide a web certificate that can be used in an eBay listing or on other internet selling platforms.

 

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