I am loathe to give unsolicited advice, but unless you really need the money, keep the rug in the family.

Just a possible idea: here in New Mexico we are mad about good quality Persian rugs. Most of our homes have brick or Saltillo tile floors and we usually top them with Persian and cowhide rugs. Santa Fe and Taos both have a glut of high end buyers. You might try contacting reputable rug and antique dealers here to see if they'd be interested in your rug. I cannot imagine that they wouldn't be.

Hi LynnNM - What a great idea! Do you have any suggestions of specific dealers or consignment shops?

Yes, I'll try to get a short list for you tomorrow.

Here are just a few for you to start with. I'm sure they can point you to other dealers in the area, as well:

* Seret & Sons/ 224 Galisteo St. Santa Fe, NM/ 505-988-9151

- Arrediamo Santa Fe/ 214 Galisteo Street, Santa Fe, NM/ 505-820-2231

- Heriz Rugs/ 1201 Don Diego Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87505/ 505-983-9650

- The Rugman of Santa Fe/ 628 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM/ 505-988-2393

- Antiquarius Imports/ 480 State Road 150, Arroyo Seco, NM (Outside Taos)/ 575-776-8381

LynnNM - I can't thank you enough for your efforts on my behalf. I'm going to call these people tomorrow and plan to come to Santa Fe in September to bring the rug if I find someone who can help me. Thanks again!

I didn't have any luck with any of the rug dealers you recommended in Santa Fe. Three did not bother responding at all and one lady from Heriz told me I "can not" sell a rug this valuable in Santa Fe and that my only chance would be New York or Los Angeles. Sigh. Thanks anyway!

1st Dibs has a warehouse in Los Angeles (Culver City), and you could contact them to see if they would be willing to sell it for you. I haven't visited them recently, but I've been to the owners' house in Venice, back when I also lived in Venice. I agree that Los Angeles is a good market for selling, as is New York, but Los Angeles is closer to you.

There are lots of rug dealers in Los Angeles, and they may have enough inventory - I have never checked, but some Armenian friends of mine had some rugs from Armenia that they wanted to sell, and it appeared that there were already quite a few Armenian rugs for sale here. Persian would be more in demand, however.

I think 1st Dibs is a good idea because they sell all over the country.

You can try these guys in San Francisco (Oakland) http://www.claremontrug.com/

They sell antique oriental rugs. Visited their showroom when I was in the area and they had some amazing rugs. They were very happy to answer questions and share their knowledge. I would give them a call.

I've had rugs appraised recently. By long-time dealers who have a lot of time and experience in the industry. Here are some takeaways:

1. People are not valuing these rugs. Or anything, really. Silver tea service...top quality china...you name it. Think "brown furniture."

2. Since the financial crisis rugs have been a tough sell. People want the $200 rug they saw on Pintrest, then they throw it away.

3. Use them in your house. Walk on them. Let the dog wipe his lips on them. They are virtually indestructible. You won't get much for them if you are just a person trying to sell a rug to someone. So enjoy it.

You have to admit, there is poetic justice in nobody wanting the rug you don't want, despite the fact that its your very own family heirloom.

Tabriz rugs are my absolute favorites. The level of detail and design in them is the very definition of Persian rug in my book. I have two in my house that have been passed down in my family for at least four generations and have not needed any restoration in all that time (about a century.)

And here is one I hope to be able to get for the dining room in my new house. It is at Mansour in Los Angeles.

Wow - thanks for making me feel lousy.

I've heard the same thing, jn3344 . I had an appraiser come look at the rug who acknowledged it is an exceptional rug, but he said since the embargo was lifted there are far more Persian rugs available than there are interested buyers. I also think you make an excellent point about people buying some $200 rug and then tossing it when they want something new or different. He said these rugs go in and out of "style" and right now there's very little interest in them. So, I guess I'll roll it up and put it in a closet for now.

This is so depressing. I'm imagining the modern generation sitting in half-empty, undecorated houses with a huge TV and lots of electronic equipment worth many thousands of dollars that will soon be obsolete, with the ubiquitous bulky leather couch and love seat and maybe a rug from overstock, and that will be "home". Nothing for the eye to rest on with love and appreciation as you go from one interesting and carefully decorated room to another. No connection to the past to give a sense of continuity and stability. But who knows, perhaps the generation after that will turn around and have a longing for old treasures again, always supposing mankind lasts long enough for them to grow up. We do live in "interesting" times.

No suggestions for the rug but a question, Dr. Von -- especially under the circumstances ($$$ rug in the house), do you need to have your address attached to your Houzz account?

No, I don't think my address is anywhere on my Houzz account. Thanks for the concern though! If you know something I don't, please let me know!

Wow ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9, I had no idea my simple question about selling a rug would lead to such apocalyptic philosophical comments! It's a rug for heaven's sake! I'm not selling a child! I don't have the space for it in my new, down-sized home. That's it. Nothing disrespectful about the past or my family or anything like that. It was just a simple question. I guess I won't bother posting any more on this forum since I've now been insulted by one commenter and told I'm part of the breakdown of humanity as we know it by another!

You don't anymore, doctorvon -- it appears to have disappeared just as the name changed a bit and the "pro" designation dropped off : ) .

The address was preceded by a "pin location/locator" symbol, so perhaps that's something in account settings, maybe connected through a Google+ account/Google Maps -- something all GW users should probably be aware of.

I apologize for hurting your feelings. I did not mean to do that. And I don't think Ingrid meant to hold you responsible for the breakdown of humanity. I think we both in our own way were pointing out the irony of your situation. An item that has been considered highly valuable for seven centuries or more is no longer valued by you or lots of other people. That is all. Ingrid actually made a very eloquent post about why she believes rugs like your matter. You disagree. It's your right and I won't accuse you of insulting my sensibilities because the rug holds no value aside from a possible monetary one.

And in my original comment when I said I was loathe to give unsolicited advice and suggested keeping the rug, that advice came from hard won experience. Items that are valuable in the marketplace have practically no value when an individual tries to sell them personally. I am willing to bet the rug I want at Mansour was acquired for a pittance compared to what Mansour will charge me. I have been in the selling position. I know how this works.

BTW if you really need to sell the rug, clearly Mansour has a market. You need to figure out how to tap that at a cheaper price. Do some homework on what you have and what others are paying for it. While lots of mainstream people only like inexpensive rugs, plenty of people still like the real thing. You may not get top dollar, but since you didn't pay for it, it is only upside.

Thank you for your note Rita. I had never heard of Mansour, so I looked them up and sent a note to see if I could work with them. I appreciate the lead. Have a nice weekend.

Thank you Rita, you understood me completely. To insult or judge you, Doctorvon, was furthest from my thoughts, and your desire to sell it upset me not at all since you said it does not fit with your decor and you are downsizing. After all, whoever bought the rug would cherish it. We've had other threads where it was noted that no one wanted to buy someone's cherished porcelain set or well-made brown furniture, and my comments were made with that in mind also. When I said "This is so depressing" I meant not that you wanted to sell the rug but that people were not interested in buying it. None of my comments were directed at you, and I'm sorry if I did not make that clear. I thought that I had.

When Mother passed in 2001, she left me several Persian carpets. I knew I'd never have the space for the largest one, so I sold it for about $1100 around 2003 to a carpet dealer. Presumably if I'd the time and inclination to shop around, I may have gotten more for it. But: I was ahead of the game to begin with - I never paid to own it, and I had and have a lot more family momentos I actually use, have space for, and value, than that rug.

I am so sorry that none of my leads panned out for you. I'm very surprised, as well. I hope that Lars' or Chispa's ideas might be of help. Your rug sounds fantastic and deserves a place where it can be appreciated for its beauty and uniqueness.

Thanks LynnNM - I'm hoping I can find someone who will appreciate and cherish it. Wish me luck!

Just thought of this possibility…a donation. So, I googled it, and yes, there are organizations which would love your rug. Of course, you have to find them. But, still…a tax right off...

Maybe you could start of with emails to whomever is in your locale.

https://www.ruggallerycincy.com/blogs/news/118714055-how-to-use-an-inherited-oriental-rug-podcast

I'm glad you were able to contact Mansour. I wish yo the best of luck.

I was focused on Mansour the other day because I found that a Tabriz for my dining room there. Doris Leslie Blau in NYC is far superior to Mansour, though. They tend to have very special rugs. You may want to look at their website (not many Tabriz) and see if you think it's worth speaking with them. Aside from carrying a finer selection of rugs, they seem like they are more straightforward, which in the world of rugs, is not something I take for granted. Even if your rug is not something they would be interested in, I think they might be able to offer you great advice.

I contacted everyone you suggested and while I wait to hopefully hear back from them, I've posted the rug for sale on Ebay. Wish me luck!

Good luck with ebay. I love the colors in the rug. I'm not sure if it is allowed, but if it is allowed can you post a link to the ebay sale or your user name?

hmorton - do a google image search on that picture and it comes right up.

I don't know what the rules are on this site and I don't want to do anything wrong, but if you look on eBay my name is vonandron. The link is http://www.ebay.com/itm/202032818634?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Boopadaboo thank you. I have never done a Google Image search, but now I have. I learned something new .

doctorvon thank you. The rug is truly beautiful. I hope you are successful.

Good luck! That is a beautiful rug.

Several people have looked at the rug on eBay so I'm still hopeful. I'm going to lower the price and state that I'll take offers in case someone really loves it and sees the value but can't pay what I'm asking. Thanks again to all of you for your help and advice.

In all honesty, do people buy 10K rug on Ebay, sight unseen? Have you looked at the sold rugs in that price range?

Yes, I have researched it quite a bit - 1st dibs, eBay, etc. People who know Persian and other high quality rugs know what they're looking at. Similar rugs have sold for much more.

That's good to know. Fingers crossed!

Yes, I have my fingers crossed too! As I mentioned in the previous comment, when the current listing expires I plan to drop the price - someone will get the buy of a lifetime since the retail was $30,000. I just want it to go to someone who will appreciate it.

Yes, hopefully, it won't be a dealer who turns around and sells it for triple the price.

Have you tried auction houses?

Honestly, I wouldn't even mind if it was a dealer who would sell it for a profit at this point. I've never worked with an auction house and wouldn't even know where to start. I'm just hoping someone loves it like my Dad did and gives it a home.

You could go to www.liveauctioneers.com and see which auction house is in your area.

Oh my gosh! What a cool site! There are also over a dozen auction places near me! I had no idea. Thank you so much for the suggestion. I'll contact some tomorrow and see if I can work something out. Thanks again!

I hope you can work something out. Good luck!

Others have already mentioned this, but have you had the rug's value assessed by a professional? If you don't find an auctioneer, you might want to get an independent valuation, as well as a more detailed description (thread count, style, estimated age, abrash, etc.) Also have the rug cleaned professionally and note that in your listing (smell is a big concern for buyers who are considering a purchase sight-unseen.) A few more photos wouldn't hurt either - I've bought a couple of semi-antique carpets on Ebay, at a much lower price point, and they typically have at least a dozen shots from different angles, each of the carpet, several close-ups, etc.

Unfortunately, the price your father paid is not necessarily the most accurate way to gauge the price that you can reasonably hope to get. People who value beautiful old Persian carpets often know a great deal about the construction -- and many know how to find bargains. (A long time ago, my Iranian inlaws bought us several beautiful rugs for really low prices from the equivalent of a Persian-language home shopping channel.) It's worth the extra step of a professional valuation to make sure that you've got the rug priced right and advertised most effectively.

Hi - Yes, I did that. I paid to have it professionally cleaned and have it professionally assessed/appraised by a local professional here. He is the one who told me, for example, that it was "Tabriz". Until then I had no idea. He told me the same thing you did regarding the embargo, Iranian shopping channels, etc. I'll be happy to add more photos although I'm not much of a photographer. He was also the one who told me to photograph the back with a quarter so people could see the thread count and density. He told me I probably wouldn't get more than about $8,000, but reiterated that it is a truly fine, unique carpet. So, when the eBay listing expires tomorrow (unless it's sold - hope - hope), I'll lower the price and I'll try and take more photos and add them. I've also put in the listing that I'll accept offers that are lower than the asking price - I'll really accept any reasonable offer. I just want it to go to someone who can appreciate and utilize it. Again, thank you so much for your advice! Von

Okay, the listing ended so I lowered the price but still left it available for lower offers. The new link is http://www.ebay.com/itm/202062699814?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

doctor, i don't think i saw this idea. if your rug is truly valuable then you need to go to the top. the international houzes that sell movie stars things etc. -gosh, you don't know me, i am the lady on oxygen and things just burp out of my mind. anyway, i remember on antiques road show, there was a woman whose husband used to buy art in yard sales. Aha - like Christies!, i still don't remember the other, but someone else will. anyway should send pics to the art person at one of them, they would look and tell if it had value, free of charge. Finally she sent him one and it was worth 100s of thousands of dollars and he never charged her a fee til she sold.

I once tried to sell some family things i knew were something. Everything was $50 total, all of which had 100s of $ in value -but they were sure willing t buy it for next to nothing.

If you have family or will have, perhaps consider keeping it as the precious family treasure it is. Learn how to store it until the time comes to take it out.

I've lowered the price again - just in case anyone is interested, here is the link on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/192341735136?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649