quote:
Originally posted by khmark7:
Just my opinion. "Serious" rugs = Iran Similiar to Champagne vs. sparkling wines. Are there quality sparkling wines made outside of Champagne? Absolutely, but they still are not Champagne. Rugs from Iran are the highest of quality, command the highest resale value and their patterns are copied the world over.
Tribal rugs are very cool, and i actually much enjoy Kazak rugs hand made in Pakistan.... Oushak rugs I believe are hand made in Turkey, not that there is anything wrong with that.
An Oushak rug sold at Christies for $159k in 2008. I'd call that serious.
Maybe instead of the Champagne/Sparkling wine description you can say the best of Iranian (Nain, Qum, Esfahan etc.) are the Bordeaux 1st growths (at the top end of the manufacturing - just because they are from there doesn't mean they are museum worthy!). 1st growth's are great, but there is a lot of very serious, collectible wine outside of them.
I'd take a really great, antique Qashqai over a more modern, good but not great, quality Nain anytime. Just like I'd take a 1999 La Landonne over a 2002 Haut Brion.