Why is it that a handmade oriental carpet can have a price of 215 Euro while another similar carpet costs 2150 Euro or more?

There are many reasons and different factors which sets the price, we will explain these factors in more detail below. From the basic price, the artistic quality is judged and the handicraft is compared to similar carpets in the same style to set the final price.

Size

A larger carpet takes more time to weave which also makes it more expensive.

Colour

How well have they succeded in combining the colours in the carpet and what kind of dyes are used in the material. If the natural colours harmonize well, this gives a higher price.

Style & origin

There are great differences when it comes to the handicraft and the quality of the material in a Persian carpet compared to a carpet from India. As well as the conditions between a workshop manufactured carpet and a carpet made by nomads.

Layout & pattern

If the carpet has an all-over motif or just fewer and smaller motifs this also affects the price. If it has a more detailed pattern, which took a long time to weave, then this will result in a higher price.

Materials

The materials that are used in the carpet and the quality on them is important when pricing a carpet. A silk carpet for example is more expensive than a carpet made of wool. The material used in the warp is also of importance.

Technique

A woven carpet takes a shorter time to manufacture than a carpet that is handmade.

Knots

What kind of knots used and the knot density is of very great importance. A carpet with high knot density commands a higher price, since it takes a lot longer time to manufacture.

Age

An antique handmade carpet is often more expensive, but it is not the age that is decisive. An older carpet often has more charm given by time and that is hard to find in newly manufactured carpets.

Condition

If the carpet is in good condition without damages it is of course more expensive than a worn out, frayed carpet with bleached colours.

The comparison between new and older production is twisted by the fact that from the old production it is only the best carpets that are preserved.

The artistic expression

Two carpets made at the same time in the same village by the same work team can differ enormously in price. Why? Despite that the same number of knots have been used, the same material and that the carpets are exactly the same size, one is much more expensive.

One big reason for this can be for example the combination of the colours and the pattern used in the carpet. Another major reason may be the way they chose to weave the carpet – did they use “a thick pen” when drawing the pattern and therefore the fine but very important details had to be dropped? With a more detailed pattern, one gets a much more beautiful carpet even if the number of knots are the same!

Comparison

If one should compare a handmade oriental carpet to another it is of great importance that it is compared to one in the same style, meaning a Tabriz with a Tabriz and not with an Isfahan for example.

You will find that different techniques, way of weaving and different types of yarn are used, just to give a few examples. One should not compare workshop manufactured carpets with nomad carpets. Different work conditions gives a different price.