Another shot.

Last one, not as bad. Heavens, I dread packing this one up for shipping. Last time I buy a rug from photos.

how about a full shot of it?

Does the ivory color have variations throughout the background? Some rugs are made that way. It's hard to tell from close ups. I second the posting of a full view photo.

I was thinking the same as Allison, that those might be intentional variations. Hard to say without a photo from a distance.

Please turn the rug over and photo those areas from the back. Often easier to tell that way.

Then separate some of the yarn in the same area as photo 2 and photo.

Can you also please show an area of fringe and edging.

This post was edited by rococogurl on Wed, Dec 10, 14 at 16:08

Some of the variation/spots/streaks are the simulated "abrash" (natural variation in color caused by different dye lots in the hand-dying process). But the lighter and darker zones does look like dirt. This is not a real persian, I hope you didn't pay an awful lot. IMO this is a decorator piece. A good 4x9 persian can be had on ebay for 600-900. A "bidjar" quality one may run up to 2000.
Casey

Removed post b/c I was hijacking.

This post was edited by Hydragea on Wed, Dec 10, 14 at 20:34

Definitely looks like staining from soiling.

Check the individual yarns where the discoloration sits -- if the fibers have the same color all the way to the base of the rug, then it would seem that it was intentionally made this way. If the the discoloration sits just at the surface, then it is soiled.

No, I did not pay a hideous amount for the rug and it is an Indian rug. I knew that when I ordered it. I ordered it for its color and size, so I think it is appropriate to call it a decorator piece. You can't have an investment on the floor in this house with four cats. ;-).

The darker areas do seem to go all the way to the roots, and when you turn it over, it looks perfectly clean on the back. I had pretty much decided, based on everyone's posts and on my assessment, that was an intentional variation. Then it dawned on me that my next-door neighbor and dear friend is Persian and quite a rug collector, so I asked him to come over and have a look at it. He agrees it is a sort of trendy, faux-antique look that he is seeing a lot of in rugs made in China and India.

He said it was not a bad rug, probably worth about what I paid for it on sale. But I can't get over the fact that it looks dirty. And you know what? That, at the end of the day, is what matters. It looks dirty to me, and I'm going to send it back. The probable $40 return shipping charge will have to be a lesson learned. Thank you all for looking it over and giving me your thoughts. It was very helpful.

Pic 2 particularly looks like a spill or animal stains (throw up or incontinence.

Ha! I see you know the cat drill.

Please don't be suspicious about your masterpiece. It is really a work of art. Generally the issues which you suggested are linked with the handmade knots as they are done manually so there are chances of getting it dirty a bit. Make sure you rotate your rug every few months so that it don't get swamp.

Hydrangea, I did not think you were hijacking at all! It was a good question. And my post is way, way OT, anyway.