You should put it in the basement, unrepaired? What kind of damage does it have?

I would wait on the decision until you know if the sibling who wants the rug will have a place for it. Let him know you are waiting to make the decision based on his desires. If he wants it, let him pay for repairs or use it unrepaired. The rug stays in the family, but you don't have to deal with it.

Fori, the bound edges are frayed in spots, the fringe is coming unfringed, and there is a spot of wear about a foot long in the middle along one side; could be where my grandmother had her wheelchair? or sat before she had the chair? And then, there are white spots throughout that, the fellow tells me and if I understand correctly, are where the woof thread is changed and the colors wear at the knot. I may not have understood him correctly. But I watched where a couple of employees were working on another rug, and he showed me how they were repairing the same thing. I’d almost let those go, and do the rest. But, perhaps those are more important?

Hmm, I would also be prepared that you might not get nearly as much for it as you might think but I would sell it.

That is a tough question. I would call a dealer, like Doris Leslie Blau in NYC, or Peter Pap in SF, and ask for their advice. The way I see Persian rugs, there are people who appreciate them and are willing to spend on them and then, there are most people. Those willing to spend, spend a great deal. If you have something high-end buyers want, then perhaps sell it as-is to a dealer. The dealer will have access to better rates on the repair and can better guage what to spend.

I would let the sibling have it. If he doesn't take it, I would ask the cousins. If it were me, I would like it to stay in the family - IF - there is someone who will love an appreciate it. If not, that's when I would consider selling.

bpath did you take it to Job Youshaei? If not may I suggest you get his repair opinion and value estimate. There are many good rug dealers in Chicago but IMO he is one of the best and honest.

I have a 100+ year old rug that belonged to my grandmother, my parents used it in their dining room (wonderful parties & dinners) and it moved from the house they built where I grew up to their 'downsized' house, then to their condo then to my living room where I had a few parties. But when we moved to NC we knew we'd be in a rental and unknown after that so I stored with one of my nieces. I had it brought to Job for cleaning and friends picked it up to bring it when they came to visit. Job instructed them to drive straight through (!) and have me call to discuss the rug. He recommended I bring the rug back on a future trip to be stabilized, repairs to fringe etc. Next trip we did just that and I swallowed hard and agreed to far more work than originally discussed after he and I on hands and knees discussed every inch of the rug, the history and provenance. Did I mention the work WOULD BE DONE IN TURKEY? That was fall of 2019 and then you know what happened and the world shut down including the age old rug weavers in Turkey. It was a year of nail biting wondering if I'd ever see it again.

Persian rugs are works of art. Fine quality, old Persian rugs are irreplaceable art and if they have been in one family then they are history as well. I don't want to twist your arm (well maybe I do!) but would suggest to think about how you might feel a few years from now if that piece of history is gone. Obviously we can't keep everything with meaning and choices have to be made. Perhaps the right choice with this rug is to let it go. But please be sure because you can't replace it. And btw, unless the rug is nothing special, which I doubt given the age (and palace size), I be surprised if the repaired value isn't higher - new Persian rugs go for that and more. I'd love to see it.

Mine is 9 x 12, no where near the grand scale of yours. This was pre-repair - Sarouk Ferahan

The real value is in the memories that the rug holds. No matter what happens to the rug, you will always have those wonderful memories. But, at the end of the day, it is a thing and shouldn't be bringing you anxiety.(This is coming from someone who LOVES old rugs.) I would not do the repairs. I think you should ask your brother if he wants it. If he passes then sell it. If you give it to neices who then turn around and sell it, you risk feeling resentful towards them. Also, as has been mentioned, it may not bring as much as you think it should. Facebook marketplace has killed the rug marketplace.

DLM, swoon ... just beautiful. I am so glad you were able to keep the rug and have it repaired. I do think in bpath's case the size of the rug makes it harder to manage.

How fortunate you are to have a trusted rug person in your area.

DLM....OMG....just gorgeous! Such luscious colors and high end weaving. ♥

I took my grandmothers 4x6 Joshigan rug to a local expert for the same reasons. She purchased the rug when stationed in Iraq back around 1915. I would describe my inherited rug as "thread bare", Those white threads are the warp threads showing. I took matching wool yarn and whip stitched the edges myself. They need to be done again. The rug store gave me an estimate of resale for the rug....and said not to worry about the missing fringe....and row of knots that had fallen off. :0) They said there are people that would "like" the rug for it's age....being an antique. I LOVE Oriental rugs.

I would gladly let one go if another...that I liked more was taking it's place. I'm NOT spending any money to restore this rug.....looking for a replacement.

DLM, yes, took it to Job! Your rug is beautiful, and a much more usable size. Ours is big but does not have a medallion, which Job said makes it easier to arrange furniture on.

Nicole, thanks yes, it’s the warp, not the woof.

If you don't want to sell the rug, can you have it folded and rolled and store in a main or upper floor closet for awhile? It won't hurt the rug.

When we moved to Florida, I was faced with (getting rid of) several antique rugs purchased in the mid-80s. I loved the blue and ivory dining room rug, and it would have fit in the living room here but it would have gone all the way to the island - not ideal, and would have looked ridiculous. The living room rug was HUGE - something like 25 x 15. I'd have to look at the papers. Anyway, I called the local antique rug store that had sold my parents these rugs. She came and said "you have to take them with you." (LOL No!) The LR rug had a lot of red, I am not a red person, but it was fine in that house. When she said they don't usually buy, I said I might just have it cut down and use here. ;D I ended up trading those two rugs for three I liked and could use in the new house. She probably was on the better end of the deal, but the new owners did not want and I knew of no one that could use a rug that size. We were also moving in a few days. I just look at it as I was able to get three new rugs for the new house, and someone that loves those rugs will end up with them.

If you decide to sell, take photos of the rug. You'll have the memories too. Just know no one wants to pay what the rug is worth, or even half that.

I would give it to a relative, unrepaired, if they want it, but I would probably use it unrepaired as well. And if it's a better rug than you already have in the living room, I would probably use it there whether it "went with" things as well as the new one as not. But I only really like two kinds of rug: wool velvet-cut woven broadloom (which is more expensive than some Persians), and antique Persians, I really don't like any modern patterned rug, personally.

I recommend contacting this company in the far west Chicago suburbs for their input, too.

https://www.kingsmillltd.com/

bpath glad to know you talked to him. If for any reason you want another take, Hemad at The Loom House in Milwaukee is another option. They do a lot of in house work and could price very differently. You can call or email him pics to see if it's worth pursuing - tell him DLM2000 sent you - he'll know ;-) He has gorgeous stuff - maybe you could trade!

Thanks @Zalco/bring back Sophie! & @User - I love it, too.

I would not sell it unless an heir needed the money. The bid/ask spread on these things is always absurd, such that selling never makes economic sense.

I would not repair it unless and until it found a home. I would be highly skeptical that "repairs will cost about $6k and bring the value of the rug to $16k." Does value mean what a dealer would pay you for it, or what one would have to pay a dealer to purchase it. I would not be surprised at numbers like "it would be 'worth' 16k but we'd buy it from you for 8k ...or less."

When someone decides they want it, they should then decide if and how and where they want to repair it. If no one wants it, I'd store it until I find someone who does or until I didn't have the space to store it.

Oh and , have a party! have a dinner! : )

I appreciate all the observations and suggestions. My brother didn’t realize the size of the rug, and he declined. I mean, 17’! Then, to leave a bit of floor around the edges, that’s a big, big room. I’m going to stop by and ”visit” the rug and take a picture to send to a cousin, I think they have a good space. I’ll have to decide quickly or Job will start charging me for storage!

If no one wants it and it were a sentimental piece I would get it cut up and made into a room sized rug or a wall hanging or a room divider or even cut it up to smaller mats for rooms. Of course it would probably cost and it wouldn't be the same. Sometimes though things truly no longer fit the time and this might be the case for your rug. I hope your cousin takes it but this is just another thought for your dilemma.

Ask family before selling (wish some of my relatives asked)..

I too am sentumental (as are all my siblings) and would not sellit unkess the money is really needed.

DLM, your rug is a beauty. Glad you kept it.

Nicole is right about the market for worn antique Persian rugs. I would not worry about repairing it.

What about using it in its current condition? The flaws are part of your family history.

I thought it was interesting....Paktrader, a seller I've used before on Ebay that sells hand woven rugs of all sizes, is currently flooding the market with 6.5'x5' RED Oriental rugs for $189.99/free shipping. They look to be the same quality, low pile...that my rug is. I'm thinking for THAT price I might replace it......and get another 20 years wear out of a NEW rug....the old one is pretty shot.