Our Collection of Vintage Rugs

At Lawrence of La Brea, we pride ourselves on building an assortment of stunning vintage rugs with impressive historical significance. Vintage persian rugs get their name from the Persian Empire, where the art of carpet weaving has a documented history of over 2500 years. Each piece tells a story about the various dyes, materials, and techniques available then.

Our products include vintage Persian, Moroccan, Afghan, Russian, Chinese, and Turkish rugs, allowing you to enhance your modern or traditional home decor with a piece of history. From handwoven treasures to culturally rich designs, our team has spent countless hours procuring pieces that can always be unique. Our dedication to the craft has given luxury homeowners and designers in Los Angeles and beyond the ability to acquire an authenticated artifact.

Why Choose a Vintage Rug?

For centuries, individuals have chosen vintage over modern, mass-produced rugs and carpets for many reasons. Not only is a historic rug a stunning display of craftsmanship, but it adds character to each room in a home with a story that begs to be told. Choose an old rug for the following life-enhancing reasons:

1. Sustainability: From the beginning of the lifecycle of a vintage rug, sustainable practices and materials have been used in its creation. This makes it one of today's market's most eco-conscious decor decisions possible.
2. Quality: Not every rug is created equal. However, our handpicked selection has been carefully crafted to house the highest quality pieces from across the globe. Our vintage selection is hand-knotted using earthly materials, keeping the 2500-year-old practice alive.
3. ‍Investment: you can enjoy your rug for years and even generations, making it a smart investment. Even if you don’t plan on keeping your rug long-term, each item remarkably holds its value if maintained by our professionals. Please note that we are a fashion house and as the fashion and styles change, so do the price of vintage and antique rugs.

What Defines a Rug as Vintage?

The term vintage defines rugs and carpets as typically 50-100 years old. Professional curators like ourselves use various characteristics to distinguish a vintage rug from mere replicas. Rugs under 50 years old tend to have more vibrant colors and light wear. Although people may try to replicate these vintage rugs, you can rest assured that many hours go into authenticating each rug we have in our collection.

How Can I Tell if a Vintage Rug is Authentic?

Luckily, a true vintage rug can be considered authentic by identifying various characteristics across the board. The study of the materials and construction should show that the item was made from a natural material and that the knotting technique is historically accurate. We also examine the design to find traditional motifs and patterns characteristic to a region and period. The wear of the rug should be asymmetrical, with fraying edges and uneven fading. These traits and the authenticator’s experience tell us the piece's age.

What Types of Vintage Rugs Are There?

We sell vintage rugs from around the world that have been heavily influenced by Persian and Turkish history. Persian rugs come from the Persian Empire and are characteristic of having detailed designs, vibrant colors, and quality craftsmanship. Turkish rugs and carpets originated thousands of years ago in Turkey, and their qualities showcase intricate patterns and motifs.

Turkish and Persian area rugs have significantly influenced the art of carpet weaving around the globe. Our comprehensive collection includes vintage Afghan, Chinese, Indian, Iranian, Moroccan, Russian, Pakistani, and Turkish rugs with Persian and Turkish roots. We work meticulously to source stunning, irreplaceable gems from countries with a rich ancient rug-making history.

The Lawrence of La Brea Difference

There’s no comparison to the expertise and passion that Lawrence of La Brea brings to the Los Angeles rug market. With a deep-rooted commitment to quality, we offer personalized service that extends beyond mere transactions. The second you step through our door or schedule an online consultation, we cater our services to you as an individual, eager to match you with the winning piece. With our knowledgeable staff by your side, you’ll enjoy the freedom and support to select your perfect vintage rug.

Caring for Your Vintage Rugs

If cared for properly, your vintage rug can be preserved for hundreds more years and kept as a family heirloom for generations. We offer additional rug care and maintenance services at Lawrence of La Brea to keep your prized piece of history in pristine condition. These services include spot cleaning, hand washing, air drying, deodorizing, fabric sealing, and thread repairs. As a homeowner, here are some things you can do to maintain the beauty of your rug with minimal effort:

• Clean Regularly: Vacuum your rug regularly to remove dust and dirt using a non-abrasive vacuum head and a high pile setting to avoid damaging the fibers.
• Rotate Periodically: Uneven wear can accelerate the aging of your rug and reduce its value. To avoid this, rotate your rug every few months to reduce exposure to traffic.
• ‍Limit Sun Exposure: UV rays can harm the quality of your vintage rug. Many homeowners choose to put a UV-protective film on their windows to reduce fading.

Can Vintage Rugs Be Repaired?

Just like restoring a historic painting, a vintage rug can be repaired depending on the extent of damage. We advise our clients to allow us to professionally repair all signs of damage. Our experts can repair and reweave the most complex and delicate vintage rugs in various materials and knotting patterns from around the world. We also specialize in custom dye and color-matching to care for your precious rug and protect your investment lovingly. It’s important to seek assistance if you see signs of damage or wear.

How to Style a Room with a Vintage Rug

One of the most impressive things about a vintage rug is that it can tie into most interior design styles seamlessly. In our experience, we’ve gained invaluable insight into the world of luxury interior design and have watched countless rooms come to life with the addition of one of our historic rugs. To style your rug, simply pair it with contrasting design elements like modern furniture, abstract artwork, and muted colors. This will help create a dynamic design and make your vintage rug the focal point of any room in your home.

Visit Our Showroom or Shop Online

Ready to take the first step toward owning an exquisite piece of cultural history? Visit our Los Angeles showroom to see some of our most prized vintage and antique rugs in person. Our team is eager to help you find the rug that fits your personality. If you’d prefer to cozy up on the couch and see our entire collection for yourself, we encourage you to shop our selection online at Lawrence of La Brea. Call our courteous team for a free consultation at +1 323-287-1182 today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Vintage Rugs

Are vintage rugs worth it?

For individuals who value unique, timeless, and luxury decor from around the world, a vintage rug is a worthwhile addition to your home. Many people find them appealing because they add character and depth to any room. These rugs are for people who value conversation starters, sustainable practices, and cultural significance in their home design. We believe that our rugs are extraordinary examples of human culture and we owe it to the world to pass on the love of the craft.

How do I know if my old rug is valuable?

If you’re wondering if your old rug could be considered a valuable vintage rug, we encourage you to have it delivered to our expert appraisers for authentication. We’ll analyze various characteristics including craftsmanship, pattern, and wear to get you the answers you’re looking for. Our experts will be able to determine the value of your rug as well as regional origin, knotting method, and materials used for crafting.

Do vintage rugs hold their value?

Not only do vintage and antique rugs hold their value over time, but they have the chance of appreciating the longer they’re cared for. Certain factors like the extent of damage and market demand can play a role in the fluctuation of value over time. As collectors and enthusiasts search for rugs from certain decades and regions, any rug has the potential to become more valuable to those individuals. Take advantage of our meticulous rug care and maintenance services to keep your rug in pristine condition to maintain value.

How can you tell a vintage rug?

To determine if a rug is vintage, our professional appraisers use their expertise in combination with the rug's physical condition to determine its age. We spend hours weighing each category carefully to age the rug properly. If we find that the rug is 20-100 years old, then it can be considered vintage, whereas a rug more than 100 years old is typically considered antique. On either occasion, finding out a rug is truly “old” is a rewarding experience.

How Do Vintage Rugs Compare to Modern Rugs?

Vintage and modern area rugs are very different when we look at factors like age, material, construction, and use. A vintage rug is much older than a modern rug and has been carefully crafted using an ancient hand knotting or weaving technique instead of machine-made alternatives. A vintage rug is constructed using earthly materials like wool, silk, or cotton, whereas modern rugs are made using synthetic threads. Lastly, a vintage rug is a treasure that adds value to your home, while a modern rug is simply a decor item.