Persian Tabriz Hand Knotted 13' Oriental Carpet Rug

Okay fellow collectors, return to your seats and buckle up for this news flash! Sotheby's New York, to even the staff's shock and amazement, recently sold in auction a 17th century antique Persian carpet referred to as the Clark Sickle-Leaf carpet for (tighten that harness) here it comes, $33,800,000! The total cost to the anonymous buyer was $43,800,000 after commissions and taxes were factored in.  What, you exclaim! It's true. And, this rug was a mere 6 feet by 8 feet in size! The sale easily set the record for the most expensive rug ever sold! What makes these things so valuable? Here are a few reasons: Persian rugs have been around for more than 2,500 years. Persian rugs are labor intensive as they are made entirely by hand. Some rugs can take up to years to complete. Materials such as the fine silk used in the tedious hand-knotting process are extremely costly. Rugs are unique and one of a kind. Finally, the age, history and provenance of a Persian rug has a huge bearing on the value.