Hey,

Really nice looking piece. I wish I could share more about the signature, I simply cannot read Farsi. The rug appears to share many characteristics of Seirafian rugs I've come across. I will show this one to a colleague to see what their opinion is .

As a side note about "fake" signatures, a well known gentleman I've spoken with in the business claims reweaving after production is also a concern. I have not found this so much myself. Your rug shows no identifiable signs of reweave. From my understanding Habibian Nain's are copied a lot too. Often fakes I have come across are determined by the signature curves and also the level of material refinement: cords, ply, knot count, etc... ****** Note Remarks at the bottom of this page

Ardo, I spoke with my colleague and he said he would have to see the rug in person.

I think I may have spoken too soon the other day after looking more carefully at the images today

There are some things that point to a very, very, very well done reweave. Not saying 100%, but I think the points may have merit.
I would like to hear your thoughts on the following images, and whether or not you may be able to confirm this having the rug in front of you

In the jpg attached below titled "signature problem" the white wool boxed off in red (original vs. signature)
shows both a slight difference in color, twist and less clearly defined yarn ply. Boxed off by dark blue and light blue, same discrepancy: different shades,
different twist, luster, ply, and other. After a rug is woven, it's often torched to clear up loose wool and yarn. The signature area which appears to have
been rewoven does not have the same clarity of the surrounding area, and color shades which presumably should be the
same appear different to my eye.

Also note "signature problem 2" - the design elements are not hidden the same amount.

having the rug in person, do you see the color differences? also, you may be able to feel a slight difference in these areas.

Wow, is this interesting!!!! Kinda like looking at maybe a counterfeit bill executed with real skill.

Question: if this is, in fact, a re-veave, would the person have had to replace the full length of the wefts in that area from binding to binding? if not, would they be joined just outside the area? If the latter, how? Could someone prove it's faux just form the weft threads?

If this is chicanery, think of the time it must have taken! I am also not clear how it would impact the value of the rug to someone not seeing what may be there, and thinking it is an authentic Sirafian. Would it be worth double?

At least they can carbon date paint of faux masterpieces....and analyze pigments and other elements. Could someone analyze the dyes in similar way within the maybe patch and outside it?

I think this could be an episode of MONK. Or CSI. Course.....we would have to include a murder. lol The re weaver feels underpaid & badly treated by the head of the operation, threatens to blow the whistle and is found suffocated in the woof & warp of a loom. Nah, too easy. He or she is found in a ditch.....with traces of esoteric dye they run thru a spectrometer....under his or her nails and minute wool fibers on his clothes. Finally, the mastermind is found to be some Persian rug curator at a major gallery in league with the owner.

Would make excellent episode! Also...promulgate interest in fine oriental rugs!!!!!