What is meant when a rug is described as ‘antique’? Technically, it refers to the carpet being at least 100 years old. A rug bearing an authentic date prior to l915 is clearly antique in 2015. Dates are sometimes altered, forged, inserted or otherwise hanky-pankied, and rugs with dates not in accordance with accepted stylistic or typological evolution must be scrutinized. What about carpets not bearing dates or other chronologically definitive inscriptions (i.e., a patron’s or artist’s name whose dates can be independently established)? We must fall back upon general, accumulated knowledge/ trade wisdom. Long experience tells an expert how

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