How to Spot a Fake Vintage Moroccan Rug

Hey there, fellow interior decor enthusiasts! : ) So, let’s discuss a rather contemporary challenge that is currently on the rise in the rug industry – fake vintage Moroccan rugs. Being an expert who is connected to Moroccan artisans, I will try to reveal some tips to make you understand the real vintage and fake one.

First, Let’s Talk About That “Vintage” Look

You know that perfectly distressed, aged look you’re seeing everywhere? Here’s the thing – real vintage rugs don’t age uniformly. Real aging shows up:

• More in high-traffic areas
• Less under where furniture sat
• Naturally faded in sun-exposed areas
• With honest wear that tells the story of its past life

If you see a rug with perfectly distributed “aging” across every inch? That’s your first red flag.

The Wool Never Lies

Touch is your best friend when spotting authentic vintage pieces. Real vintage Moroccan wool:

• Feels buttery soft from decades of foot traffic
• Has an almost silk-like quality that only comes with age
• Shows varying textures across the rug
• Maintains its structure despite its softness

If the wool feels uniformly soft or artificially slick? You might be looking at a chemically treated new rug.

Colors Tell a Story

Here’s an insider secret: vintage Moroccan rugs used natural dyes that age beautifully. Look for:

• Subtle variations in color
• Deeper hues in areas that were protected
• Natural fading that makes sense with use
• Rich undertones that chemical dyes can’t replicate

Watch out for:

• Too-perfect “fading”
• Artificially muted colors
• Uniform wear patterns
• That tell-tale synthetic sheen

The Back Reveals All

Flip that rug over! A genuine vintage piece will show:

• Visible hand-knotting with slight irregularities
• Natural fiber variations
• Signs of authentic aging on the back too
• Knots that have relaxed with time

Red flags include:

• Machine-perfect knots
• Artificial distressing
• New-looking backing
• Uniform construction

The Price Reality Check

Let’s be honest – if someone’s selling a “vintage” Moroccan rug for the price of a new machine-made rug, something’s off. True vintage pieces are:

• Increasingly rare
• Labor-intensive to restore
• Unique one-of-a-kind pieces
• Valuable investments

A Pro Tip About Sellers

A legitimate vintage rug seller should be able to:

• Tell you the rug’s history
• Explain its tribal origins
• Point out unique characteristics
• Share details about its age and construction

If they can’t? That’s another red flag.

Why This Matters

When you invest in a true vintage Beni Ourain rug, you’re getting:

• A piece of handcrafted history
• Natural materials that have stood the test of time
• Unique character that can’t be replicated
• A rug that will continue to appreciate in value

Remember: There’s nothing wrong with buying a new Berber rug (we make gorgeous ones ourselves!). The problem comes when new rugs are artificially aged and sold as vintage pieces. Explore our vintage rug collection or check out our handmade pieces to find a rug that’s genuinely worth your investment.

Every home should have realness in it whether it is an original vintage piece or a new hand  knotted rug. It is just a matter of understanding the details. 
 
If you want to know  more about the real Berber rugs, then please do not hesitate to contact us. This is something that  we are more than happy to do since we have such a great interest in these stunning pieces of  art. 
 
Waiting for the real one is always better than getting a fake one. There is no reason  to buy a copy when you can have the original art piece.