Overstock has that lead warning on a lot of things that you would never suspect would have lead in them. Until Overstock, I never heard of lead in rugs, but I suppose it's in the dyes. So if it's true that some rugs have lead in them, though Overstock seems to be the only seller that mentions it, how can you tell if these more expensive rugs or the ones from a "reputable dealer" or especially craigslist have it or not just because they don't mention it? I don't think you can tell. I have bought several rugs from a certain eBay seller who says that some of his rugs have vegetable dyes. I don't know if this would make a difference in the lead content but I have noticed that the vegetable dyes don't bleed or run when I clean up a little pet accident.

Your rug appears to be quite a good one. It looks almost exactly like a 3 1/2' x 5' that I inherited from my parents, especially in the colors and patterns. I took mine for a cleaning about a year ago by an Oriental rug specialist out here and he explained to me the following, which possibly might apply to yours: Mine is an Iranian Sarouk and was imported to the States around 1918-1925. Sarouks were extremely popular then, but American buyers preferred heavier colors, so after arriving in the States the reds and darker blues were re-dyed to enhance them. If you turn the rug over it should show the exact detailed pattern, but in more pale hues (quite pretty actually). The dealer also said that my rug was worth around $3,000. He said that if well-cared for - vacuumed, occasionally cleaned, and kept free of pet stains it should last another 75 years. I've also been told that these rugs like bare feet on them; that's how they were originally made to be walked on. I think your parents' rug is a beauty and well-worth having! Google "Sarouk carpets" to learn more and compare colors and designs.

Loobab, Thank you :)I am glad you like it. My husband and I were watching a young lady making one similar to this, and we just couldn’t leave without buying one. I love the idea about posting a thread when I am all settled and everything is out of the box, but I am not sure. I am quite a private person and don’t feel too comfortable posting photos of my home on public forums (I do admire and I am very grateful to those who do). But I will consider it, though :)) Ingrid, thank you for clarifying it for us. I would have been very surprised and sad if that had been the case. I really appreciate your candor :)

The poster ST favors Nain rugs, and the Habibian Nains which are still being made are among the best and are still being made and are of extremely high quality. As in all Persians, with genuine Nains (and Isfahans) what is important is the condition, the materials, the quality of the wool, the condition and thickness and density of the pile, clarity of design, and the colors should be true all the way down to the knot, and the higher knots per square inch (kpsi) the better. With Nains, in addition to kpsi, they talk about lah, and it can be 12, 9, 6 or 4 lah. The lower the lah, the better the rug and more expensive. Lah ( sometimes pronounced layeh, a Farsi word meaning layer) refers to the number of layers of threads that have been wrapped around each warp thread in making the carpet. The lower the numbers of layers of threads wrapped around the warp in making the knot, the higher the knots per square inch you can get, so a low lah is an indirect measure of a high kpsi, and good quality. A 9 lah is considered good quality. Before you plunk down your hard-earned money on a Persian of any type of rug, please educate yourself. A lot, a lot, a lot. Read every book on Persian carpets you can find, read every website, but trust the books more. Go to museums and galleries. Go to every high-end store and ask questions respectfully and don't be ashamed to say that you are in the market and are in the process of educating yourself. If you dress decently and are respectful, the store-owners will consider you a prospective customer and will be happy to educate you a bit, especially if you know something already. What you want the stores to tell you is why this or that rug is good quality and why this rug is better quality than that rug, what are the features that make it so. Is this a real Nain? Is this a Habibian? Is that signature real or a fake? Do this again and again and again to educate your eye and your hand. And if none of this interests you at all, and you just want to buy something that looks Persian-ish with a Nain-like pattern, that's okay too. There is no law that you have to buy the real McCoy, just don't spend $$$ thinking you are, to get a copy or something machine made.