Antique

The conventional definition of "antique" in the rug trade is a piece over 100 years old, i.e., pre-1925 by current reckoning. This is the definition used by US customs (pieces over 100 years old may qualify for duty-free import as antiques) and broadly followed by auction houses.

In practice, "antique" is often applied more loosely, to any piece that reads as genuinely old, regardless of whether it meets the 100-year threshold. Tilwen uses "antique" or "old" for pieces with credible evidence of pre-1930 production, and notes the basis of the attribution.

Authentically old Moroccan Amazigh pieces are increasingly rare in the primary market. Most of what circulates as "antique" in lower-end rug retail is misattributed, overdyed, or reproduced.