Appraisal & reports
Rug appraisal and condition reports.
A clear written record of what a rug is and what state it is in is useful far beyond the studio: for insurance, for an estate, for a sale or a loan, and for anyone who cares for the piece after you.
What a condition report records.
Condition reports
Our condition reports describe the rug as an object: its type and probable origin, approximate age, dimensions, materials, knot density and construction. They then record its condition in detail, wear, losses, previous repairs, stains, dye run, moth damage, dry rot, distortion, with photographs of the whole piece and of every significant area.
Reports conclude with recommendations: what treatment, if any, is advisable, how urgent it is, and how the rug should be cared for in the meantime. Where treatment follows, the report becomes the 'before' record against which the finished work is documented.
Identification
Type, probable origin, approximate age, construction.
Measurements
Dimensions, knot density, materials.
Condition
Wear, losses, repairs, stains, pests, structure.
Photographs
Overall and detail images, front and back.
Recommendations
Treatment, urgency and care.
Appraisal documentation.
Appraisal
For insurance scheduling, estate settlement and charitable donation, a value may be required as well as a description.
Where a formal appraisal is needed from an independent credentialed appraiser, our condition report provides the detailed physical description and photographs they will ask for, and we are happy to work alongside them.
When you might need one.
Uses
Clients most often commission reports when insuring a newly acquired or inherited rug, when dividing or settling an estate, before lending a piece for exhibition, before and after a move, following water or moth damage for an insurance claim, and before committing to a significant conservation treatment.
For collections, we prepare reports for multiple pieces at once, with a consistent format and a summary schedule.
Frequently asked.
Questions
- Is a condition report the same as an appraisal?
- No. A condition report describes what the rug is and the state it is in. An appraisal assigns a value for a stated purpose. Many clients need both; the condition report underpins the appraisal.
- Do you need to see the rug in person?
- Yes. A reliable report requires handling the rug front and back. We can assess at the studio or, for collections and fragile pieces, on site.
Related reading
Is your antique rug worth restoring? A conservator's checklist
Not every worn rug should be restored, and not every restoration needs to be extensive. Here is how to think through the decision before committing to work.
Restoration vs conservation vs repair: what each word means
These three words get used interchangeably, but they describe different goals and different amounts of intervention. Knowing the difference helps you ask better questions.
Inquiry
Request a report.
Tell us how many pieces, what the report is for, and whether they can travel.