Does cutting off the original worn fringe, or putting on new fringe, affect the value of the rug?
In most cases, the fringe has absolutely no effect on the value of a rug – it is just a byproduct of the weaving process. So cutting it off (as long as it is not so short that knots begin slipping off), or putting on a new fringe by hand, will not affect the value positively or negatively. The exception to this would be some weaving countries that incorporate elaborate embroidery kelim designs in the fringe base. In these cases, it is obvious that time to weave in designs has been invested, and we would of course not recommend removing it.
