Four Keys to Selecting
A Good Oriental Rug

When choosing rugs for his own home, Hadji Rahimipour, vice president and director of the oriental rug department at auction house Bonhams and Butterfields in San Francisco, looks at four things (in order of importance): country of origin, age, quality of work and condition.

Mr. Rahimipour prefers rugs from Persia, Turkey or France -- his favorites being those from the Persian city of Kashan. He collects rugs made before 1900 because they are made with smaller and tighter knots, indicating higher quality. He doesn't mind wear and tear, and leaves small holes alone to preserve the rug's original look. He is careful to vacuum only twice a month and uses a regular vacuum since commercial ones are too strong and can damage the rugs.

Mr. Rahimipour has both wool and silk rugs in his home, but he finds that wool rugs wear better. In the kitchen, he uses inexpensive rugs so he doesn't have to worry about water damage and heavy foot traffic.

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