Heritage Rug Buyers is the UK's dedicated rug buying service for private sellers. Whether you have a Persian heirloom, an antique tribal piece or a vintage handmade rug, we offer honest, expert valuations with no fees and no obligation. Simply send us photos — we do the rest.
We are a dedicated buyer — not an auction house, dealer or marketplace — which means our sole purpose is to make the selling process simple and fair for you.
Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Heriz, Qom, Sarouk, Sultanabad and all major Persian weaving centres. Chinese, Indian, Turkish and Central Asian Oriental rugs also considered.
Sell a Persian RugPre-1900 antique rugs and mid-century vintage pieces from 1920–1980. Age alone does not determine value — origin, quality and condition all play a role, and we assess all of these.
Sell an Antique RugHand-woven tribal rugs from the Caucasus, Afghanistan, Anatolia and Iran. Kilims, sumaks and other flatweave pieces with natural dyes and tribal patterns are highly collectible.
Sell an Oriental RugMachine-made rugs rarely hold resale value, but genuinely hand-knotted pieces — identifiable by the knotted pile on the reverse — command real prices in today's collector and interior design markets.
Sell My RugMany of our sellers have inherited a rug and have no idea of its origin or value. We handle inherited rugs sensitively and often find significant value where owners expected none.
Inherited Rug ValuationIf you are handling a house clearance or estate sale and have rugs to sell, we can value and purchase single pieces or entire collections. We work discreetly and at your pace.
Estate Sale EnquiryOur entire process is designed to be straightforward for private sellers. You do not need to travel, pack or ship anything until you have accepted an offer.
Take a photo of the full face of the rug in good natural light, a photo of the back showing the weave or knot structure, and a close-up detail showing the pile, pattern or any markings. Submit these via our online quote form — it takes under two minutes.
Our specialists review your submission and assess the rug's origin, age, weave quality, size and condition. We respond within 48 hours with a written valuation and a purchase offer. Our valuations are honest and based on current market prices — not trade minimums.
If you are happy with the offer, we arrange collection from your home at a time that suits you. Collection is free anywhere in mainland UK. Payment is made promptly on collection or by prior arrangement. There are no fees, no deductions and no surprises.
Selling a rug privately is rarely straightforward. Here is why a specialist buyer is the best route for most UK sellers.
Auction houses charge seller's commission of 15–25%, add buyer's premium, and take weeks or months to complete a sale. There is no guarantee of the final price and unsold lots incur listing fees. With Heritage Rug Buyers, you receive a fixed offer with no commissions and no delays.
Selling a valuable rug on eBay or Facebook Marketplace exposes you to low-ball offers, payment fraud, and the risk of shipping damage. Buyers on these platforms rarely understand what they are buying, which pushes prices down. We know the market and price accordingly.
A dealer buying for resale must leave enough margin to sell at a profit. Our model is different — we buy for a specialist collector and trade network, which means we can offer prices closer to true market value than a retailer can afford to pay.
Our team has decades of experience identifying, dating and valuing rugs from all major weaving traditions. We can often spot value that a general valuer — or an online tool — would miss entirely. That knowledge works in your favour when we make an offer.
Where a rug was made has a profound effect on its value. Rugs from highly regarded centres — Isfahan, Tabriz, Qom, Kashan — or those with a clear tribal provenance command premiums over generic or commercially made pieces.
Antique rugs (pre-1900) are becoming increasingly scarce, and genuine examples in reasonable condition are sought after by collectors. Vintage pieces from 1930–1970 are also currently strong in the market due to interior design trends.
Hand-knotted rugs in fine wool, silk or wool-and-silk blends hold value far better than machine-made or chemically washed pieces. Knot density, pile height and the quality of the dyes — particularly natural vegetable dyes — all contribute to final value.
Larger room-sized rugs (over 10 x 8 ft) from good weaving traditions are relatively uncommon and often command strong prices. Small mats and runners are more common and typically less valuable, though fine examples are still worthwhile.
Condition matters, but is not always decisive. Even wear, some fading or minor moth damage does not necessarily prevent a sale for quality pieces. Wholesale restoration or amateur repair work can reduce value more than original wear does.
Rug values are not static. Certain types — tribal Caucasian, mid-century Persian, antique kilims — are particularly sought after right now. Our valuations reflect live market conditions, not outdated price guides.