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Glossary/Condition GradesCondition

Condition Grades

Four grades: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair. Each described specifically in the listing. Nothing graded optimistically.

Definition

ExcellentNo damage, no wear, no restoration. Pile even and full. Edges and ends intact. Dyes stable. Rare in genuine vintage pieces, a vintage rug graded Excellent has had very limited use or very careful storage.

Very GoodMinor wear consistent with careful domestic use. Possibly some light thinning in well-used areas. Edges may show slight fraying consistent with age. No restoration. Dyes stable. The most common grade for well-preserved vintage pieces in active use.

GoodModerate wear in some areas. Possibly a small historically done restoration. Some edge or end wear. Dyes may show some fading. Structurally sound and visually coherent, but the signs of history are visible.

FairSignificant wear, more extensive restoration, notable fading, or structural fragility. A Fair piece may be exceptional in its patterning or rarity despite condition, it requires informed buying. The imperfections are known and accepted, not hidden.

Why it matters for buying
Condition is one of the biggest things driving what a rug is worth. An excellent piece in a rare type sits well above the same type in worn condition, and it is worth understanding why before you buy either. The grade at Tilwen is assigned honestly: it describes what the piece is now, not what it once was. Condition notes always accompany the grade.
Related Terms
RestorationThe repair or reconstruction of damaged areas of a rug, ranging from legitimate structural conservation to commercially motivated alteration.OverdyeingDyeing an existing textile a new colour to disguise damage, even out fading, or make a piece more commercially appealing. It destroys what was there.Pile HeightThe length of the pile above the foundation. At Tilwen: Flat (no pile), Low (under 8mm), Medium (8–15mm), High (over 15mm).VintageMade before approximately 1980. Old enough that the ageing is part of the object, not damage to be apologised for. Evidence of a life.
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