Old rugs were made with the materials at hand, including vegetable dyes. Newer rugs are made with chrome dyes, like those used for clothing today. The latter dyes are much more brilliant, creating crisp and clear colors. Vegetable dyes cause shading , making them more beautiful. Another way to know about the age is to look at the quality of the design.
Older ones are more dramatic and interesting.
Antique rugs are classified by the lifestyle of the people who wove them. For example, nomadic rugs are very simple with repeating designs that are easily committed to memory. They also use few colors such as red, ivory and blue. Dee Chiavetta Owner, McDhurries Limited, Inc. 19300 Detroit Rd.