Hi there,

I am brand new to the forum although I've spent the last few hours browsing - I'm so impressed by the collective knowledge here.

I know very little about rugs generally - although I'm learning (I have spent the few years immersed in midcentury furniture design, which is how I've become drawn to these rugs sa they can look very nice in modern settings and keep it classic and not too period looking).

I'm in the market for an inexpensive area rug, and I like the looks of these two on eBay (by the same seller). From reading on here, I understand that most of the description (what little there is) is bogus. However, I'm trying to find out what you think of the coloring on both of these rugs.

Rug #1: Rug # 1 Link

On this rug, do you think that salmon/orange color is actually red that has faded? And one of the black "medallions" (please correct if I'm using the wrong term) at the end is faded to gray. I've asked the seller and he said very cryptically the rug is "abrush". I assumed he meant airbrushed but asked for clarification, to which he replied "they used different color ,there is no paint" In your experience, do the color differences look like fading or painting?

Rug #2: Rug # 2 Link

I really like the colors and border of this rug, but I'm wondering if the mottling effect I'm seeing is some major discoloration (perhaps from trying to wash it incorectly?) Particuarly mottled is the burgundy color. What are your thoughts on how this was caused? And is it a hideous effect? I'd prefer more crisp but the colors and overall pattern is nice. As to my inquiry on this rug, the seller helpfully replied: "every thing is good for this rug."

Any thoughts on whether $400 is fair for each rug?
Lastly, what can you tell me about the pattern of these rugs so that I know what I'm really looking at? I love to find out the history behind pieces but here I feel like I just dived in.

Thanks very much! I'll continue lurking around and trying to soak up the knowledge. Apologies for my long winded first post.
Thank

KAD,

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to look and share your comments - very enlightening! It's funny because the seller used the word "abrush" twice, and I googled and could not find anything so that's why I had assumed he meant "airbrush" - but your explanation for the term makes perfect sense so I'm sure it was a typo on the seller's part (or alternate English spelling as I sometimes see). It makes me feel better about the seller (who sells under half a dozen different names actually).

Re the second rug - interesting - I had wondered about the "watercolor" effect and can't decide if I like it, though it does have a different dynamic quality.

I have really enjoyed the past week or so diving into this rug world - it is a feast for the eyes and I've always loved anything with great color and pattern (I got married in a psychadelic Pucci dress!), plus I'm a bit of a research addict so I'll definitely continue to spend time here looking and learning.

Thanks so much again for sharing your thoughts and experience with me.

Both of these rugs are Persian Shiraz rugs, and the abrash is really nothing to be concerned with. In most nomadic rugs, a small batch of wool could be dyed at each session. When the wool was almost all used up, more wool needed to be dyed. Since the dying was done by hand and no machines, the amount of the dye would never match the original batch, and it always resulted in different shades of the same color in rugs. The effect would be greater color changes as the rug gets more and more exposed to natural light. Prices are reasonable. These are handmade rugs and you will not be able to buy machine-made rugs at these prices. Even the wool itself will probably be worth this much. Good Luck...