psanchezp58 wrote:
Every rug person I talk to says that money spent on rugs is money well spent, as the prices always go up. But do they?
Yes and no. It depends largely on the type and the condition of
the rug. It is simply a matter of common sense.
Antique rugs are more likely to increase in value than any other type.
Rarity and increased scarcity account for this, just as certain paintings
by certain artists are very valuable. Since good old type rugs cannot be
produced overnight and since the supply is well nigh exhausted, it
stands to reason that choice antique rugs will continue to mount
in value.
The public has been told by many unscrupulous dealers that the rugs
they buy will increase in value every year. This does not hold in 95%
of all Oriental rugs sold today. The notion that the value mounts gained
widespread credence because so many people who bought rugs thirty years
ago without knowing what they were getting find their rugs worth several times what they paid for them.
A 200$ rug bought thirty years ago is often worth one 800$ .
But because a rug is antique it is not necessarily valuable. If an
antique is worn out or the pile worn down to the warp it has practically
no value unless it is a very rare rug suitable for a hanging or as an
exceedingly rare type for a hobbyist or a museum.
An excellent brand new rug in natural colors whose colors are a little
sharp should be worth somewhat more with its colors mellowed by
use. The element of rarity not being present the increase cannot be
tremendous.
But in the case of rugs that are chemically washed, which comprise
95% of rugs sold today, it is ridiculous to
thint that they will increase in value or even hold their own. Every
such rug as a matter of common sense will be worth less each succeeding
year. A rug equally good will be produced the next year and after it
is treated it will be silkier and more alluring to those who wish the
silky sheen because the sheen will have dulled somewhat on the
used silky rug.