A hand-knotted rug’s value isn’t determined by a single factor. The RUG Index methodology uses five independent multipliers applied to a base square-footage value:
Two similar-looking rugs can produce wildly different values because the multipliers compound. A 6×9 with five 2× multipliers is worth roughly 32× the base. The same 6×9 with five 1× multipliers is worth the base. That’s why a one-line dealer estimate is rarely meaningful — the underlying multipliers determine almost everything.
The ranges below are realistic resale (fair-market) values for an average-condition 6×9 in each category. Insurance replacement values run roughly 2.6× resale; retail replacement runs 2.2×. Premium examples in fine condition can run 3× or more above the high end.
Tabriz — the broadest range of any Persian origin. Modern Tabriz from the past 30 years: $2,000–$8,000 resale for a 6×9. Workshop Tabriz of better-than-average quality, signed: $6,000–$25,000. Antique Tabriz from documented makers (Haj Jalili, Hadji Jalili, Faraghan): $25,000–$200,000+. Signed Haj Jalili pieces at auction have crossed $500,000.
Isfahan — consistently among the highest-valued Persian origins because of the fine kork wool and ultra-fine knotting. Workshop Isfahan: $5,000–$15,000. Master-signed Isfahan (Seirafian family, Davari, Haghighi): $15,000–$60,000+. Antique Isfahan is rare; when found, $30,000–$200,000.
Qom — silk Qom is the premium. Silk Qom 6×9: $8,000–$30,000 modern; antique silk Qom can run $50,000+. Wool Qom: $3,000–$12,000.
Kashan — classic central-medallion designs. Modern Kashan: $1,500–$5,000. Antique Kashan (pre-1930): $8,000–$30,000. Mohtashem-attributed antique Kashan: $25,000–$150,000+.
Heriz / Serapi — the room-size Persian category. Modern Heriz: $1,500–$4,000. Antique Heriz (pre-1930): $6,000–$25,000. Antique Serapi (the finer 19th-century type): $20,000–$100,000+.
Sarouk — American Sarouks (1920s–1940s, made for U.S. import): $1,500–$8,000. Pre-American antique Sarouk (Mohajeran, Fereghan): $10,000–$40,000.
Hereke — the silk Turkish premium. Silk Hereke 6×9: $10,000–$40,000 modern; antique signed Hereke can exceed $100,000. Wool Hereke: $4,000–$12,000.
Oushak — the most-collected Turkish antique. Antique Oushak (pre-1920): $8,000–$40,000 for a 6×9. Larger room-size antique Oushak can run $20,000–$100,000. Modern Oushak reproductions: $1,500–$4,000.
Kayseri / Konya — mid-tier Turkish origins. $1,500–$8,000 typical.
Almost all Caucasian rugs of collector interest are antique (pre-Soviet, generally pre-1925). They’re typically smaller (4×6 to 5×8). Translated to a 6×9-equivalent:
Kazak — antique Kazak: $3,000–$20,000 depending on age and pattern. Early Kazaks (pre-1880) can run $15,000–$60,000.
Shirvan — antique Shirvan: $2,500–$15,000. Finer late-19th-century Shirvans can reach $25,000.
Karabakh / Gendje / Talish — similar antique range: $2,500–$20,000.
Qashqai / Bakhtiari / Afshar / Heriz tribal — antique tribal pieces in good condition: $2,000–$15,000 for a 5×8 to 6×9. Less-common subgroups (Khamseh, Lori) command 1.2–1.5× over baseline tribal.
Tekke / Salor / Yomut / Saryk — antique pre-1900 Turkmen pieces are heavily collected. $3,000–$25,000 typical; rare early Salor and Saryk pieces can exceed $50,000.
Modern Indian workshop pieces from Agra, Jaipur, and Bhadohi: $1,500–$6,000 for a 6×9. Antique Agra (pre-1920): $6,000–$30,000.
Antique pre-1925 Chinese rugs (Beijing, Ningxia, Suiyuan): $3,000–$20,000 typical. Antique Khotan and East Turkestan pieces: $5,000–$30,000. Modern Chinese workshop pieces: $1,500–$4,000.
Almost every range above spans a factor of 5–10. The reason is the multipliers compound. Two 6×9 Tabriz rugs of identical pattern can produce values of $4,000 and $35,000, because one is workshop-quality contemporary and one is signed antique kork wool. To know which side of the range your specific rug falls on, you need a measurement of all five pillars — not just a guess at origin.
Use our valuation tool for a coarse band in 2 minutes, or book a $35 Digital appraisal for a certified value range based on your rug’s actual pillars.