CUT AND REDUCED

CUT and REDUCED

When a piece of fabric is removed along the entire width or length of the rug,a most significant flaw results.A section is more often cut out from the length than the width before the carpet is rejoined again.The rug is frequently reduced in two places along the inner guard borders or edges of the main field in order to maintain symmetry.The carpet is usually expertly sewn back together in a stepped manner so that the pattern closely resembles the original design of the rug.It is often difficult for an expert to tell if a carpet has been reduced or altered so it is particulary hard for the layman to notice this extremely serious imperfection.It is always a good idea to turn the piece over to see if any thick,unusual,and frequently staggered lines or seams are running horizontally from edge to edge or vertically from end to end.On the face one might see incomplete flowers or a truncated medallion,or one may find that one half of the rug,usually running lengthwise,is shorter than other.

A carpet is generally diminished in size in order to remove a badly worn or damage area.Occasionally a rug is reduced to fit a room.The value of a cut carpet is significally less than one that is complete,and altered rugs should generally be avoided.The vendor should guarantee in writing that the piece has not been dininished in size.

The loss of part or all of the outer guard borders,or main borders,is sometimes the result of altering the rug to fit a room.Normallt these very serious losses are also the consequence of wear.Missing main borders or sections from the body of the rug might be the equivalent of an antique table with shortened legs.Beautiful old carpets that contain either of these imperfections are often in excellent condition.

The loss of a few rows of knots on the ends of important antique Persian Herizs and Serapis is becoming a little more acceptable in the trade because of the increased scarcity of these carpets.

If a section is removed to accommodate a fireplace and then resewn back into the carpet,a flaw also results,but this imperfection is not as serious as one in which the rug is altered and an entire section is lost.