Pre-owned vs. new
Many rug lovers have their heart set on new, unused rugs when it comes to buying. After a proper professional cleaning, though, a pre-owned rug can be a sensible and decorative alternative, because hand-knotted rugs are extremely hard-wearing and made to last for ever. But pre-owned and pre-owned are two very different things.
The value of old, pre-owned rugs is an extremely complex subject. It sounds like a tale from the Arabian Nights, but a few years ago a rug, valued by experts at 900€, was auctioned for 7.2 million euros. A general disillusionment about how rugs hold their value has admittedly set in since then, and even in times of unattractive interest rates on deposit accounts, rugs are no longer a popular investment. At the same time, however, exceptional antique rugs remain as sought after as ever and are auctioned at top prices by renowned auction houses. Particularly well-preserved collector's pieces more than 50 years old are offered in our online shop under the category Old & Antique Rugs service.
By no means every rug has the history, the special features and the provenance to achieve high prices at auction. Old Oriental rugs from the 60s, 70s and 80s were traded in Europe in large numbers and at high prices. In recent years, interest in bright colours and bold patterns has fallen markedly. Almost exclusively, muted colours and patterns that complement a modern interior or the country-house look have been in demand.
For some years now, European designers have been reinterpreting the classic patterns and colours, carrying their character over into the aesthetic of the 21th century. These innovative designs sell very successfully at exclusive prices. At the same time, they are also boosting the popularity of classic rug patterns in general. It is the birth of modern designer rugs.
If you love richly coloured, floral patterns, now is a good moment to pick up pre-owned but well-preserved Oriental rugs from the years of the German economic miracle at attractive prices. A new tradition can begin just as well with a pre-owned rug. Rugs are made to last for ever. Even though some of them have changed hands several times, pre-owned rugs often look like new after a cleaning and show barely any signs of wear. In our online shop we offer these rugs under the category "Classic Oriental Rugs, pre-owned".
Rugs with damage – worn patches, holes or fringes coming loose – make up a category of their own. Without the appropriate repairs, these rugs are not quite as hard-wearing as well-preserved ones. They can, however, easily be used for several more decades. Lovers of the "Shabby Chic" style are happy to reach for these rugs. We stock exactly these pieces under the category Vintage rug.
In the end it is of course a question of taste and style whether you would rather decorate your own rooms with a pre-owned or a new rug. What you shouldn't do is rule pre-owned rugs out from the start.
