A signed and sealed document that a dealer issues with a hand-knotted rug to record what it is: its origin, type, materials, size, knot density and age, any signature the rug carries, and often a photograph. It is commonly likened to a birth certificate for the rug. Some dealers also state the rug's value on it, which lets it serve as proof of value for an insurance claim or a later resale. Buyers use it to confirm that a rug is what it is sold as, particularly for a gift or an investment piece; its worth rests on the reputation of the dealer who issues it.
A written document, usually signed by the dealer, that gathers a rug's details in one place, such as origin, type, materials, size, age, knot density and any signature, often with a photograph, together with its value. It serves as proof of value for an insurance claim if the rug is damaged, lost or stolen, and for resale. Dealers typically provide one, and in some shops the same single document is called the certificate of authenticity.