Handmade rugs carry signs of individual weaving, natural variation and material character. Machine-made rugs are usually more uniform and produced at speed.
How to compare
Look at the back, fringe, weave density, materials and design clarity. Handmade rugs often reward close inspection because structure and surface are connected.
Why it matters
For collectors and long-term interiors, provenance, materials, repairability and ageing are part of the decision.