Carpets in India and advice
 

I am currently in Mumbai. I am looking at some carpets but was hoping to get some advice first.

The carpets that I am looking are claiming to be Kashmir carpets. I am looking at wool carpets that are about 6'x9'. The cost seems to be about $1100 USD. They claim they are 480 knots per square inch. I am a little skeptical of this given some Internet searches this morning.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any additional advice for buying Carpets in India?

If you want some real Kashmiri carpets whose authenticity is less in doubt (but whose price should well be doubted), perhaps a visit to Jammu & Kashmir may be possible. Airfares are not sky-high and the InterContinental hotel in Srinagar can be quite attractive in the Spring and prices very reasonable for an IC. I'll ask about a 480 knots per square inch carpet that is wool-on-wool but won't be able to get back to you for a day or two. [Silk-on-wool, in my layman's understanding is more expensive, but I've never been in the market for buying any since I've been gifted quite a few over the years.]

sounds high. I paid $2500 for a silk one of the same size (and I KNOW I was taken). Did you bargain? If that is the original price he quoted you, get at least 33% knocked off. These vendors have PhDs in playing hardball.

Thanks for the replies. My travels will not allow me to go to Kashmir on this trip.

They started at $1100. I would be hoping to get something in the $800 range in this size.

In 2000, a close acquaintance bought a 9x12 AND a 4x6 silk-on-wool for $3000. I don't know if that was some kind of superconcessional rate due to special circumstances or not, but he's pretty confident he didn't get fleeced.

This very person said that $1100 for a 6 x 9 sounds about average, but it really does depend on the knot count.

I am meeting with someone tomorrow who should be able to give me a better idea of pricing.

advice i've been given (and i own many indian and other fine art rugs), is that you should buy based solely on your love of a rug, after much looking around, and not based on any value that you think it now has or will have in the future. therein you needn't worry so much.

i suggest you see the people making the rugs. are these children in dark rooms? the indian rug industry is horrible and notorious for improper child labor. do some research.

there are however reputable manufacturers. one that i am familiar with, and have an exquitite fine rug from is SHYAM AHUJA LTD.33/34, Dr. Annie Besant Road Post Box No. 6594, Worli, Mumbai Bombay) 400 018, INDIA.Tel : +91.22.24926017 / +91.22.24930895. web site is at http://shyamahujahome.com.

Thanks all for the advice.

I left India without buying a carpet. I was buying the carpet hoping that it would increase in value, I was more concerned that I simply wasn't paying too much.

I am in Dubai now and the prices seem better for what I am looking for. More in the $800 range. I am now looking at Afgan carpets. I like the colors better.

Thanks again.

you might be better off sticking with more traditional investments. investment in art including rugs just won't work based on your approach. good luck.