What are The Most Collectible Antique Rugs?

Antique rugs are more than just a special decorative item in your home. They can truly be part of a unique collection, as some of them are very rare and it would be a shame to use them as you would use any other rug.

Considering that some of them are rather old, made out of special natural materials, and can cost considerable amounts of money, they can be very well regarded as a rare piece of art that is worth collecting.

Before continuing with talking about the most collectible antique rugs, it is worth mentioning that the most expensive rug in the world was sold at the staggering sum of $4,450,000. Yes, we know, the sum can make your brain freeze. But when it comes to collectible, there are enthusiasts that don’t care about the price tag of their desired item.

So, having said all these, let us look at the world’s most collectible and desired antique rugs.

A Silk Isfahan Rug

This particular rug may deserve the first position in our list, not just due to its fine materials, but also for its impressive price tag. The silk Isfahan rug is the one we mentioned earlier of selling at the hard-to-believe sum of $4,450,000. The item was sold by Christie’s and was purchased back in 2008.

Still, what led to the highest price tag ever used for a rug? As mentioned earlier, the rug is made out of silk. So, nothing but the purest and highest quality silk was utilized for the making of this rug. Besides this, the craftsmanship is simply stunning. The knot density is incredibly high, a rare occurrence when it comes to handmade rugs, and the colors used were numerous.

This indicates that a high amount of effort and time was invested in the making of this item. Before being sold in an auction, this highly valued rug belonged to Doris Duke, a famous heiress of a tobacco empire. If you would like a silk Isfahan rug, you should know that you can find them at more reasonable prices of just a few thousands of dollars.

The Ziegler Mahal Rug

The Ziegler Mahal rug definitely deserves occupying the second position, considering that it also managed to reach an impressive price tag, of no less than $182,500. Original from the central part of Persia, this gorgeous rug managed to stay in an excellent condition in spite of its age.

The combination of beautiful colors, bright terracotta and light blue, and large print are two other factors that contributed to the increased value and price tag of this rug. Without a doubt, such a rug is an amazing addition to the collection of any rug or ancient items enthusiast. It is worth mentioning that another Ziegler Mahal rug reached a similar selling price, earning its position as the third most expensive rug in the world.

In spite of the fact that it showed some wear and tear due to its age, the beautiful colors specific to Mahal rugs managed to convince someone to pay a considerable amount of $170,500 on it. Who got the rug can recondition and repair the damage and return the rug’s former glory.

The Ushak Rug

The bright colors and unique design of this particular rug would have convinced anyone to pay the spicy price tag that came along with the rug. But, for connoisseurs, this item is a work of art, not just a mere rug. A shade of deep red is the main color of the rug and the pattern is simply breathtaking, even after so many years. Not to mention that the rug was made with a lot of attention to details.

Back in the days, when only wealthy people afforded to decorate their homes with rugs, the highest amount of effort was invested in the making of such items, which explains why antique rugs are so spectacular. The condition of this rug was also superior, so, with the right kind of attention, the rug will make its owner a very happy and proud person for very many years to come.

An Isfahan Rug

The most expensive Isfahan rug was also sold from a collection that previously belonged to Doris Duke, who was known as an enthusiastic rug collector. The truth is that this particular rug, sold at the sum of $116,500, has spectacular colors and a gorgeous design.

In spite of its age, the rug still has strong decorative power and can easily upgrade any interior space. With the right kind of care, such a rug can be enjoyed in a private collection for very many years to come. But, this rug has a special detail that is not commonly met in this kind of rugs. The border of the rug features a unique design representing vine leaves. Isfahan rugs don’t usually come with this kind of designs, which makes this particular rug one-of-a-kind in its group.

It is believed that the inspiration for this pattern came from the Persian rugs that were made somewhere in the 16th century. They are the ones that brought vine patterns into the world of rugs and carpets.

A Mohatashem Kashan Rug

A Mohatashem Kashan rug original from Persia managed to reach the top of the most expensive collective antique rugs in the world when it was sold by the famous Sotheby’s for the amount of $92,500. The colors were very well chosen and the design is a very intricate one.

Having such a rug in the room will definitely change the style and entire atmosphere of that particular space. The craftsmanship of this rug is something that must be admired, considering the large number of details this rug provides.

The Mohatashem types are the most sought-after and appreciated rugs of the Kashan group, and this particular piece only proves just how beautiful and valuable such a rug can be. Of course, this Mohatashem Kashan rug managed to exceed the ordinary and provide a pattern that is very hard to find, if not even impossible.

A Portuguese Armorial Rug

It is interesting to see that a Portuguese antique rug managed to find its way among the most expensive and collectible antique rugs of the world. Sold at the price of $80,500, it is not as expensive as the ones mentioned earlier, but its price tag is indeed considerable. The details that can be seen on the rug are more than impressive and finely executed.

The most attractive part of the rug is the central medallion. Of course, the surrounding borders cannot be ignored either, as they were made with a high degree of attention to details. The colors are soft but pleasant, giving you the impression that you are looking at a painting, and not at a rug.

A Fereghan Sarouk Rug

It is impossible to remain indifferent at the sight of this antique rug. The colors are very much alive even today, as a shade of deep brick red color is predominant in the design of the rug. It is worth mentioning that both the colors and design pattern provided by this item are typical and highly representative for Fereghan Sarouk rugs.

This is why rug collectors are constantly keeping their eyes opened for such rugs, explaining why this particular item was so desired. Someone wanted this rug sufficiently in order to accept to pay the $74,500 that came along with the rug.

For those enjoying the beauty of Sarouk rugs, but not willing to spend such amounts of money, it is worth mentioning that this type of rugs can be found at more accessible price tags.

Some may exceed $1000 while others will go beyond this amount. It all depends on the size, age, patter, and craftsmanship of the rug. But, it is not impossible to enjoy such a rug in your living room.

A Clark Sickle-Leaf Rug

We are talking about a particular rug that belonged to the collection of William A. Clark, who was both an entrepreneur and politician. This antique rug was made in the 17th century, featuring the typical bright red color of those days and intricate patterns. The rug was sold at the sum of $33.7 million to a collector that did not want to reveal his identity.

The truth is that this rug has the power to take your breath away, considering that it was made in times when technology was not available and machines were rudimentary. So, the amount of details and finesse of the craftsmanship is truly impressive.

A “Vase” Rug

Also belonging to the 17th century, a so-called “Vase” rug, which is more precisely an Oriental antique rug, earned the name of being the most expensive artwork ever made in the Islamic world.

According to specialists, the rug was made by the Kirman weavers, which belonged to the Safavid period. Its colors and design inspire balance and calmness, being relatively simple in comparison with other Oriental rugs. But, even so, the carpet has its unique charm, costing its owner almost $10 million in 2010.

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