Rug Crazy in Rupert

Persian Rug Prices Skyrocket, others higher as well

2011-07-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

The impact of the Economic Embargo against Iran is truly being felt. Unfortunately, it's the American buying public that are the ones that are feeling it. The rug embargo which took effect September 30, 2010 has brought huge increases to Persians in particular, and others (Afghan, Pakistani, Indian, Turkish) up quite a bit. Wholesale prices are up as much as 4-6 times on Persian Carpets at this point - 2-3 times on the others. My replacement costs prohibit me from buying anything at the moment - bargaining is almost impossible! When will this end? Your guess is as good as mine, the last rug embargo lasted 13 years. I still have 500 rugs in my inventory, and because of the tight economic times, I have not raised my prices accordingly. Keep watching for further developments

Back From The Dead

2010-10-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's been quite some time since my last post, and a lot has happened. On September 29, 2010, an embargo on Persian Rugs took effect, which mean none are being imported (legally) into this country. The last such embargo lasted 13 years, from 1987 through 2000. Prices took a big jump, even before it happened and have seemed to level off for the time being. I think everyone (including me) brought in whatever they could in anticipation. It's only a matter of time to the the effect on the rug market. I've seen lots more Turkish, Afghani, Pakistani, Indian and Chinese rugs being offered from my usual suppliers - you can see photos of a couple of new Turkish pieces here on the blog. It seems that the prices of these rugs is generally higher than they were before this all got started, so we'll have to see how this shakes out. Meanwhile, I have about 500 pieces in stock, and am trying to hold the line on my prices. No promises, but I'll try to be more attentive to this post. Steven

Welcome to the Rug of The Month Club

2009-12-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

This month's rug is an antique Turkamon from Persia (aka Iran). These tradition designs with their "Gul" pattern are some of my personal favorites... and are very often called "Bokhara's", from the city in the SSR's which is a center of trade, and therefor often purchased there. It is said that each tribe has its own characteristic gul and that precise origins can thus be determined. These "Red Rugs" are often thin and supple and have an air of native culture often absent in many of the Persian "city rugs". This one is about 6 x 9 feet and is in what I call Antique Very Good condition. Look for it shortly on the Rug Crazy Wed-site. Happy Holidays to all!

Rug of the Month

2009-10-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

I don't usually take rugs "on consignment", but when this Green Bokhara was waved in front of me, I couldn't help but drool. First of all, Bokhara is a trade center in the Soviet Republics whose name is given to many rugs both sold there and beyond. It has come be be synonymous with Tekke Tribal type rug, with its ever repeating "guls" (or elephants foot). These have traditionally come come dark red backgrounds, and a green one is very rare. This specimen was woven in Pakistan in the 1990's and is in near-mint condition. Woven with approx. 300 knots per square inch (kpsi) it is both supple and intricate... I am offering it on my website at "under wholesale", or about $25 per square foot. It measures 11 ft. 5 inches by 9 ft. 2 inches. The picture doesn't do it justice and even if you are not in the market for such a piece, its uniqueness is worth the time of a look. By the way that's Green, Mint (condition) NOT Mint Green (color)

Can't Get Enough of that Funky Stuff

2009-09-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

Eight new runners came in yesterday, all very nice and priced right... My favorite of the bunch was this antique Hamadan ...worn, faded and a ton of character.. one edge waves , as you can see, the graphics bold and the color quite faded...certainly anything but pedestrian. Now to find it a good home...second favorite is the Arak on the other side... subtle abrash (color changes in the wool) and a nice thick pile

Back From The Dead

2009-09-15T04:35:00.000-07:00

I've been away from this blog for quite awhile - no excuses offered, I'm here now. Obviously, you are as well. I have more rugs than ever, about 450, a new sign, and a functioning showroom that serves me well. Looking forward, I WILL TRY to append this blog at least once a week with new rugs and other utterly fascinating tidbits of information. Thanks for your patience.

A Recycled Beauty - The Rug of the Week

2009-02-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

Why would anyone buy a repaired rug? The answers are many: 1. A repaired rug is usually one that was very good quality in the first place. 2. The cost of a repaired rug is a fraction of a non-repaired of similar value. 3. You are doing your bit for world-wide recycling. 4. You won't worry if your kids, dog, husband walk on it. 5. You can hide the repair under some furniture anyway..... Well you get the picture (actually 2 pictures in this case). This 70-80 year old Persian Kashan is very heavy and is in generally very good condition. You can see that the pile has been rewoven in a number of areas (on the close-up photo) Pile loss was probably do, in this case, to wool moths. This is NOT the best repair job I have seen, but the result is a rug, that sold new for many thousands of dollars, selling now for only $450, right now the lowest price I have on any room sized rug. The truth is, that unless the repair is pointed out, most people don't seem to notice anyway! Click on photo to enlarge!

PakMan to the Rescue- Rug of the Week #2

2009-01-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

Pakistan has been producing some fine rugs for some time now (also some not so fine ones). When they copy designs typically found in Iran, very often they are called "Pak-Persians" or "Pako-Persians" to indicate that fact. I recently received just such a rug, pictured, and found it to be both very well made and tastefully done. The colors are all muted, with the field (background) color a rose-madder with a pinkish tone, rather than red. It was sold to me as an 18/20 line rug, which means that nominally there are 360 knots to a square inch. This allows for intriquecy of pattern that cannot be found in rugs with few KPSI (knots per square inch) The vendor claims that the weavers used imported New Zealend wool, and I can believe it as it is extremely soft, and there is a consistancy of color throughout this beautiful piece. Why purchase such a rug? Cost savings over similar Persians can be substantial. This rug, 14ft. 5in. x 10ft. 2in. provides an extremely large option for somebody looking for a quality piece at a reasonable price.

Rug of the week Part 1

2009-01-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

This wonderful Kurdish rug just came in, its enormous (13 ft 2 in. x 5 ft. 2in.) and wonderfully tribal. Kurdish tribes in Iran are located in the north in both western and eastern parts of the country. Originally, they made multiple use carpets for everyday household purposes, and were not for commercial sale. They are very strong rugs and are used mostly in high-traffic areas. Kurdish carpets commonly have hexagonal medallion designs, and are multi-colored. I haven't put this one on the web-site yet, as I'd love to find a place for it in my house, but its rather imposing size leaves me very few options. There is something about this one that really makes me wish I could meet the weavers - the uniqueness of this piece makes it truly a work of art

The Rug Blogger Cometh

2009-01-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

OK. Blogging is not the latest thing any longer, but we old guys learn slowly. I will try to present the trials and tribulations of the Rug business, with a bit of humor in between... So until I'm up and blogging, please check out my website at http://www.rugcrazy.com
Rug Crazy in Rupert