As you know there are different kind of carpets. Oriental carpets are in general classified as capital goods, but even among these carpets, there are carpets distinguished from the others – the exclusive carpets.

The definition of an exclusive carpet, is according to most carpet experts, that the carpet is knotted by hand in a workshop by professional, experienced carpet weavers. The knot density shall be at least 600.000 knots pro square meter, and the material used, shall be of highest quality. Behind the making of these carpets, there are numerous of accurate working hours. The fact that the carpets are knotted in workshops with high quality tools contribute to the gained value of the finished carpet. Many other oriental carpets are being knotted in tents, in nomad camps or at home, and they are therefor not as well-knotted. Most work shops making exclusive carpets are situated in Iran. The most known cities are Tabriz, Nain, Keshan, Isafhan and Ghom. There are also workshops in Turkey, first and foremost in the city Hereke, close to Istanbul. By looking at the carpets one can tell in which area they are knotted. A lot of the exclusive carpets have an element of silk and sometimes elements of gold and silver. Really exclusive carpets are all knotted in silk. These carpets are extremely detailed. In some of the carpets, legends and famous events are knotted in. When buying these carpets, a piece of history is included. Earlier on, these carpets were often to be seen in royal palaces and castles, providing the halls with luxury and elegance. Today, the exclusive carpets are to be found in governmental buildings and ministries.

Naturally some of these carpets are to be seen in museum allover the world, others are owned by

collectors.

Beyond the knot density and the material, there are also other factors making the carpets exclusive.

When dying the yarn, only natural co lours obtained from plants and minerals are being used.

The co lour combinations are chosen to harmonize. To sum up, one can say that the accurateness during the whole process, are features for the exclusive carpets. Carpets of this type do normally bear a signature on the short side along with, for example, the Iranian flag, or the name of the city, in which the carpet was knotted. Today, it is possible to find exclusive carpets on the market, but it will be more difficult. Many of the skilled, experienced weavers quit because of age, and there are no natural heirs to these old-timers. The youth of today, choose other occupations, leading to a slow death of the tradition. The workshops do, to a higher extent, choose to knot utility carpets. These are not as detailed, and faster knotted.