It has also been a common practice for some carpet sellers to present carpets that are new or a few decades old at most and to tell would-be buyers that these rugs are bound to appreciate in value over time. The prices of carpets and area rugs have fluctuated greatly in the past two decades, but generally prices for new and semi-old Persian rugs have fallen since the 1980s. Carpet prices are also suffering in the current downturn that began in 2008. In part these trends are due to changes in fashion, in part to the fact that contemporary handmade rugs are better than those being woven 25 years ago, particularly now that good naturally dyed rugs are available once more, so prices for the old rugs have come down in real terms during this period.

That caveat aside, a truly great handmade rug can be expected to last a lifetime or even longer. We may not provide you with an “investment” but we can certainly find you an heirloom. At Torana we sell antique Chinese and Tibetan rugs in our stores, as well as new ones. Antique carpets are best selected, like all antiques, because you find them beautiful and want to decorate your home with them. If the carpet holds it's value or appreciates, that's a bonus.