We buy Seirafian rugs of all attributions, designs, and conditions. Send us photographs and we will provide a thorough, written assessment at no cost and with no obligation to sell.
Selling a Seirafian rug raises questions that most general buyers cannot answer honestly. Is the attribution genuine? Is a private sale, an auction house, or a specialist buyer the right route? Will a worn or repaired piece fetch a fair price, or is it barely worth selling?
At Heritage Rug Buyers, we specialise in fine Isfahan and Seirafian pieces. We will tell you what we believe your rug is, what affects its value, and what we are prepared to pay — in writing, without pressure. If we are not the right buyer for your piece, we will tell you that too.
Three straightforward steps — no appointments, no courier risk, no fees.
Take clear photographs of the full face, the reverse, a close-up of the pile, and any signatures or maker's cartouches. Send them via our valuation form along with the dimensions and any provenance you have. We will respond within 24 hours with an initial assessment.
If we wish to proceed, we will make a written purchase offer. There is no pressure to accept, no hidden fees, and no commission. The offer stands while you consider it, and you are welcome to seek other opinions in the meantime.
Once you accept, we arrange collection from your address anywhere in the UK. The rug travels fully insured. Payment is made promptly upon receipt and inspection. The whole process is professional and straightforward.
Auction can be the right route for some pieces — particularly those likely to generate strong competitive bidding. But it is worth understanding the trade-offs before you decide.
Auction houses typically charge the seller a vendor's commission of 10–15%, plus buyer's premium of 25–30% that reduces what a buyer is prepared to bid. Selling to us directly means you keep the full agreed price.
A consignment to a specialist auction can take three to six months from submission to settlement. We respond within 24 hours and complete payment promptly after collection — often within a week of first contact.
Auction estimates are not guarantees. A piece may sell below its lower estimate, or fail to reach its reserve. Our written offer is a firm commitment — if you accept, that is what you receive.
Major auction houses are selective about condition. Worn, repaired, or faded pieces are sometimes declined or assigned low estimates that do not reflect their rarity. We consider all condition levels and will always explain how condition affects our assessment.
For exceptional or highly sought-after pieces, a specialist auction with well-qualified buyers may deliver a higher result than a private sale. We are happy to discuss which route may suit your rug best.
We consider the full range of Seirafian attributions, designs, and conditions.
Sadegh Seirafian, Mohammad Seirafian, Ali Seirafian, and general Seirafian workshop pieces — all are considered.
The classic Isfahan medallion format, including Seirafian's celebrated intricate arabesque field compositions.
Hunting-scene carpets and pictorial compositions attributed to the Seirafian workshops are especially sought.
Dense all-over patterns and Herati-field compositions in the fine Isfahan tradition.
From small prayer-format rugs to large room-sized carpets and gallery pieces — size does not exclude a piece.
Worn pile, old repairs, slight fading, and structural issues are all considered. Please send photographs and let us assess.
If you have inherited a Seirafian rug and are unsure of its history, we can help establish attribution and value.
We are equally interested in a single important piece or a collection of several rugs from the same source.
Many fine Isfahan rugs are attributed informally to the Seirafian workshops without firm evidence. Even if you are unsure, send us photographs. Our assessment is free, and we can help establish what you have.
If you have already received an offer from another buyer, or an auction house estimate, you are very welcome to share it with us. We will give you our own independent assessment — we will not simply match or exceed a number without understanding the piece for ourselves.
Some sellers find that our assessment differs from what they have been told elsewhere. That can go either way: occasionally we identify factors that support a higher value; occasionally we have to offer less. Either way, you will receive an honest explanation of our reasoning.
There is no obligation and no pressure. A second opinion costs you nothing.
There is no single answer — value depends on the specific maker attribution (Sadegh, Mohammad, or Ali Seirafian command the highest premiums; later workshop pieces vary considerably), the design, age, size, materials, and condition. A genuine signed piece by Sadegh Seirafian in excellent condition is among the most valuable Isfahan rugs available. A workshop piece in worn condition is a different matter. Send us photographs and we will give you a clear, honest assessment.
We explain our reasoning in writing for every offer — which factors we considered and how they affected the figure. You are under no obligation to accept, and you are welcome to get other valuations and compare. Our reputation depends on sellers feeling they were treated fairly, so we have no incentive to undervalue a piece. If we believe an auction would serve you better for a particular rug, we will say so.
We need at least four photographs: the full face of the rug laid flat in good natural light; the reverse (so we can assess the knot structure); a close-up of the pile in a central area; and any signatures, cartouches, or inscriptions — on Seirafian pieces these are usually woven into a corner medallion or the main border. A tape measure beside the rug for scale is helpful. If the rug has any damage, please photograph those areas too.
We aim to respond with an initial assessment within 24 hours of receiving your photographs and basic details. For complex pieces — particularly those where attribution is uncertain or where we need to consult auction records — we may take a little longer and will let you know. We will never leave you waiting without explanation.
Yes. We consider Seirafian rugs in all conditions. Pile loss, old repairs, fading, and fraying are all factors we weigh against attribution, design quality, age, and rarity. For a rug of significant age or rare attribution, condition is important but not decisive. Please send photographs and we will be straightforward about what we can offer.
Yes. Once an offer is accepted, we arrange collection from your address anywhere in mainland UK at no cost to you. The rug is fully insured throughout transit. For very large or particularly fragile pieces we discuss logistics in advance to make sure everything is handled correctly.
Send us your photographs today. Our assessment is free, takes no more than a few minutes of your time, and carries no obligation whatsoever. Whether you decide to sell to us or not, you will come away with a clearer understanding of what you have.