One of the best things about buying a one of a kind kilim rug is that age is likely to retain and in some cases, increase their value over time. This is something that is untrue for almost any other purchase for the home! Age however will not make up for a poorly designed, dyed and woven kilim—a poor quality rug which is 100 years old is still a poor quality rug.
High quality New Production Kilims do have the potential to appreciate in value over time and can be considered good investments. The best of Turkish new production kilims are finely woven in high class wool, (including NZ wool) using vegetable dyes. A reputable and trustworthy supplier will be able to assist in finding investment-quality new kilims.
Aging rugs is sometimes a vexed question; however in general and allowing some latitude depending on the individual rug, the following rules apply.
- New: up to 10 years old
- Recent: 10 to 30 years old.
- Semi Old: 30 to 60 years old.
- Old: 50-90 years old.
- Antique: 80 to 100 years and older.
[The pretty kilim pictured is a semi-old Anatolian piece, probably about 50 years old]