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NewMexicanScorpio t1_iuea72a wrote

8 years in the oriental rug business here. I am pretty sure it's a hand woven kilim rug. You got a good price. Unlike a lot of places in the rug weaving world, Turkey and Iran get enough local and tourist business that they don't give the deep discounts like in Afghanistan or India. To take care of your rug so it does may for life:

  1. keep it out of direct sun as much as possible. Those dyes, if they are natural, will fade with the reds going first and leaving your rug looking yellow.
  2. keep a vacuum away from the tassels on the end if you like the decorative knots
  3. prevent wear as much as possible on the sidecords. That is where these flat rugs wear fastest and are the most difficult and expensive to repair Enjoy your handwoven rugs!
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sbayz92 OP t1_iuebob5 wrote

Thanks so much for your input!

Can you explain why I see hand made Turkish rugs on Etsy for cheaper? I’m not sure if they are used condition or what but surprised to see so even with being shipped to America. Perhaps I am missing an important detail.

For cleaning, could just a gentle sensitive laundry detergent with a hose work once every few months and hang dry in sun?

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NewMexicanScorpio t1_iueeh2g wrote

Those rugs on Etsy could be falsely labeled as hand woven, or are very used. Used rugs don't sell for nearly as much as new. Think about trying to sell a couch or bed mattress used. As for cleaning, my business recommends a thorough cleaning every 2 to 4 years depending on use. You can use a mild detergent and a hose to clean yourself, but that can have a ton of issues mine color bleed or warping. But they are tough enough to take a light power washer without damage. Do a dye test first. Put a wet paper towel on different areas of the rug and see if any color transfers to the towel. If the dyes bleed when wet, get it professionally done by a place accredited by ARCS. I can tell you from experience that those colored threads wrapped around the end tassels will bleed and leave you with red, blue, and green tassels and instead of white cotton. And it's really hard to reverse without damaging the cotton.

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LBdeuce t1_iugo48c wrote

There are countries where false advertising is not illegal and very frequently sellers will pass the false claims of the manufacturers with little to no risk

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sbayz92 OP t1_iugrcmp wrote

True, but this is a small tourist town and the guy has been in business for 27 years. Being the only one in town. He’s very well recommended by even the locals. And the certificate has his tax ID on it. I’m quite certain it was not imported in from another country. If he pulled this type of stuff the shop wouldn’t have such high ratings and recommendations.

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LBdeuce t1_iugs65k wrote

Im sorry i meant to reply to the comment wheRe you ask why handmade turkish rugs on etsy are so cheap

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inspired2apathy t1_iuhk811 wrote

Hand made doesn't mean hand knotted and Etsy can lie. Also, they might use synthetic materials.

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