The catch is probably that it is an Isfahan design and not actually from Isfahan, Iran. The chances are slim that this rug is all-silk or even wool on a silk foundation. The asking price is much lower than wholesale cost, so I would bet that the rug is Persian design and Chinese made. Do you have pictures?

Oops. Just saw that you did have some pictures posted. Any chance you could get a photo of the back where the fringe meets the pile and also of the binding? The rug doesn't appear to be Isfahan, but I'm not quite sure of what it is. Is the fringe cotton?

Hi, Jahannandsons got the right area - it is a Kashmir silk, not Isfahan. From what I see it is not natural silk. Foundation is cotton, pile is mercerized cotten what I can see from the pictures. If it is new, the price is ok, if it is used, maximal half.

Esfahan design - but a real Esfahan would have higher knot density - and would be made of wool - with silk highlights.

A real Esfahan would likely also have silk warp - not the cotton you see in these photos.

Finally - a real Esfahan would cost a lot more than what you were quoted.

It's a pretty piece - and is likely worth what you were quoted - but it's not an Esfahan.