One of the most important questions that some people ask when buying a handmade carpet is how to distinguish between a handmade and a machine-made carpet. People who have a background in carpets can distinguish between handmade and machine-made carpets at a glance. But despite the variety of handmade carpets, it is more difficult for ordinary people to distinguish between machine-made and handmade carpets. How to distinguish a handmade carpet? A basic question that concerns many people. In this article, we will explain 4 ways to distinguish a handmade carpet from a machine-made carpet. The distinction between the carpets available on the Kolahdozan site will help you distinguish a handmade carpet.
How to distinguish a handmade carpet from a machine-made one
1- Review and comparison of handmade and machine-made carpet backings
Looking at the back of a rug is the best way to tell the difference between a machine-made and a handmade rug. In hand-woven rugs, the knots are uneven and not as uniform as in a machine-made rug. In a handmade rug, some knots may be smaller and larger. This is not surprising because it is a manual process. But in a machine-made rug, the back is all smooth and uniform because of the use of an automatic machine. 2- Pay attention to the origin of machine-made and handmade rugs
2- Paying attention to the origins of machine-made and handmade carpets
Looking at the root of the carpet is one way to distinguish between machine-made and handmade carpets. As you know, in machine-made carpets, the roots are sewn to the carpet, but in handmade carpets, the root is part of the carpet and is along the same foundation of the carpet, which is made up of warp threads and is considered part of the carpet itself. In the image below, the first image belongs to the root of a handmade carpet.
3- Checking the edges and sides of the carpet
In a handmade carpet, the edges of the carpet are the wefts that hold each other together. The edges of the carpet are used to identify the origin and authenticity of the carpet. Each weaver in each region has a specific method for finishing the edges of the carpet.
In handmade carpets, the edges are sewn using a needle. For this reason, they may be a little uneven and not smooth. However, machine-made carpets are sewn using a machine and appear uniform and smooth.
4- Attention to design shape and pattern
In machine-made carpets, the shape and pattern are very precise and are reflected symmetrically from one side to the other, and you will rarely find any inconsistency in the design. However, in handmade carpets, the opposite can be true, and there may not be precise symmetry between parts. In some cases, the weaver of a handmade carpet might weave it without a specific pattern and just based on memory.
Other differences between machine-made and handmade carpets
Machine-made carpet:
Machine-made carpets are woven using large machines controlled by computers. The use of synthetic fibers for weaving this type of carpet is common. Among the synthetic fibers used in these carpets are polypropylene, nylon, polyester, acrylic, and artificial silk.
Undoubtedly, machine-made carpets are cheaper than handmade ones, and their lifespan depends on the quality of the fibers and can be more or less than 20 years. However, woolen machine-made carpets, if maintained well, can last for several decades. On the other hand, machine-made carpets have no value for collectors.
Handmade carpet:
Handmade carpets are woven manually on a loom. A handmade carpet is undoubtedly a form of art and is admired by everyone. The size of the loom is determined by the carpet size, and the weaving starts from the bottom to the top. Weavers tie knots onto the foundation of the carpet, which forms the pile yarn of the rug. This process is very tiring and time-consuming. The weaving time of a handmade carpet depends on its intricacy, and a high-quality 12-meter handmade carpet can take over a year to complete. That’s precisely why handmade carpets are significantly more expensive than machine-made ones.
The fibers used in handmade carpets are natural and include cotton, hemp, wool, silk, and other natural materials. Among them, silk handmade carpets hold a special place among collectors and picky buyers due to their softness, shine, and high artistic value. Silk is typically used in handmade carpets to enhance the design and beauty. A high-quality handmade carpet, if maintained properly, can undoubtedly be preserved for generations.
In this article, you learned how to identify a handmade carpet. With these 4 simple ways, you can distinguish handmade and machine-made carpets.