The Most Expensive Carpet in the World
Did you know that carpets can be worth a fortune and that the world’s most expensive carpet sold for nearly 34 million U.S. dollars at an auction in New York in 2013? At first glance, it’s hard to imagine. But for us, that’s reason enough to take a closer look at the topic “What makes a carpet valuable” for you.
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The World's Most Expensive Rug: The "Clark Sickle-Leaf Rug"
The world’s most expensive rug is an antique Persian rug from the 17th century. It is a Clark crescent-leaf rug measuring 2.67 by 1.96 meters and is believed to originate from the Kerman region in southeastern Iran. This unique red rug, featuring a blue border and a gold-threaded pattern, was part of the collection of American industrialist William Clark. After his death, it was initially donated to the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington before it was finally auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York in 2013 for nearly $34 million.
The most expensive and arguably best-known in Germany: the “Kerman vase carpet”
The most valuable German carpet is also a Persian carpet. The slightly wavy carpet, woven using the “Vase technique” and featuring a pattern of colorful flowers, leaves, and branches, was produced in the 17th century in the province of Kerman. The carpet was owned for many years by the French art lover Comtesse Martine Marie-Pol de Béhague, until, after a series of twists and turns, it came into the possession of an elderly lady in Augsburg. The Kerman vase carpet gained significant media attention because its Augsburg auctioneer estimated it to be of low value, yet the carpet later sold for 7.2 million euros at a Christie’s auction in London, a transaction that ultimately led to a legal dispute.
What Gives Persian Rugs Their Value
Persian rugs originate from what is now Iran, have a long tradition, and are produced using a labor-intensive process. They have a higher knot density than other rugs and are intricately hand-knotted. Many Persian rugs feature beautiful, complex patterns and tell their own unique stories. The art of Persian rug-making requires time, patience, and experience. Valuable Persian rugs are made from natural materials such as cotton, wool, or silk. The traditional manual knotting technique, passed down from generation to generation, requires a few tools that have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. First, carpet weavers use a knife to cut the yarn. A comb-like instrument is then used to compact the pile. Finally, scissors are needed to trim the pile to a uniform length.
Source: https://www.naintrading.com/orientteppiche/herstellung/
Carpet quality = high knot density
The knot density per square meter is an indicator of the amount of work that goes into a handmade carpet and a sign of the quality and fineness of a Persian carpet. Carpets are classified into different categories based on knot density: 4La, 6La, and 9La. Generally, the denser the carpet is knotted, the lower the La value, and consequently, the finer the weave and the higher the quality of the carpet. A 4La carpet, for example, has a knot density of over 1,200,000 knots per square meter. This level of knot density is very rare and indicates a very fine carpet. Collectors and connoisseurs are usually interested in high-quality carpets with a knot density exceeding 500,000 knots.
Source: https://www.orientteppich-lexikon.de/fertigung/knuepfung/
World Heritage Site Carpet
There is something truly special about Persian rugs, and it is clear that they are unique in their design and craftsmanship. Almost like something out of a fairy tale from *One Thousand and One Nights*, they have captivated people of all cultures for many centuries. They embody the knowledge of many generations and are true collector’s items. A piece of cultural history that enriches many homes and apartments with its splendor and aura.