Would really appreciate someone's expertise on this one. My husband and I picked this rug up in Belgium at a flea market over the weekend for €150. Just because of the sheer size of it, it certainly wasn't a rip off regardless of its quality or origin. It is 10.8 ft in length and 8.2 wide. Just after we had purchased it, a man came up to us and told us that he thought it came from the north of iran and is worth about £5,000! I really can't believe that this is true but would love if someone could at least tell us a little more about it. It is beautiful on both back and front but the front (which has a silky sheen compared to the back which is dull) is quite discoloured. I wondered if it was stained but when I rubbed some water on it earlier it came off black with dirt! We have photographed both bits so you can see the staining.

My biggest problem with this at the moment is knowing how I should go about cleaning it. If it is a cheap machine made rug (which even I can see doesn't seem to be the case) then I would prefer to buy the cleaning materials and give it a wash myself. If however, it is worth something, then it should have some professional TLC

Any thoughts, suggestions or ideas welcome! Many thanks in advance.

Adele

Hi Chris, thanks for replying and shedding some light on my (new-to-me) rug. On reflection I think the best thing to do would be to give it to my dad who is a carpet cleaner. Probably safer than me working on it with a squeegee and a bottle of ajax! At the moment im not sure if it is dirt or fading either but i'm anxious to find out. I guess I could always turn it around the other way if the front is faded though...The year sounds about right. It doesn't look or feel old at all. My only other question is, do you have any idea what it is made of? I guess its mainly wool but why is the front so much shinier?? Sorry for being so clueless - this really isn't my field!