Boston, MA – Skinner, Inc. will offer more than 300 lots of fine Oriental rugs and carpets – including nearly 50 room-sized carpets – at auction in Boston on Saturday, May 11th. The diverse collection includes Persian, Anatolian, Turkeman, Caucasian and Chinese rugs, carpets, and textiles.
Persian Rugs
The auction features a nice selection of Persian rugs including multiple Bahkshaish and Serapi room-sized carpets. These carpets continue to be popular in New England thanks to colors and geometric designs that blend well with classic New England decor. One outstanding example, in good condition with great color and spacious drawing, is a Serapi carpet from the last quarter of the 19th century (lot 139, estimated between $20,000 and $25,000). Two Tabriz silk rugs will also be offered (lots 60 and 134, each estimated at $5,000 to $7,000).
A Lavar Kerman pictorial rug (lot 133, $10,000 to $12,000) is unusual, with a depiction of angels flying around the Garden of Eden. A large Bidjar carpet (lot 140, $25,000 to $35,000) from Persia will also be available.
Caucasian Rugs
Highlights from Southwest Caucasus include a mid-19th century Kazak rug with the rare pinwheel design (lot 129, $15,000 to $20,000), a late 19th century Sewan Kazak rug (lot 121, $8,000 to $10,000), and a Bordjalou Kazak rug (lot 125, $5,000 to $7,000) with a yellow field. A Daghestan prayer rug (lot 131, $12,000 to $15,000) represents an unusual find due to the shape of the prayer arch and the rare blue and black border.
Turkeman Weavings
A Beshir prayer rug from West Turkestan (lot 117, $15,000 to $20,000) is an excellent early rug from the first half of the 19th century. A similar example can be seen in Turkmen, Tribal Carpets and Traditions edited by Louise W. Mackie and Jon Thompson. A mid-19th century Beshir prayer rug (lot 151, $4,000 to $6,000) will also be offered.
Smaller Turkeman rugs include a Tekke Torba (lot 75, $1,000 to $1,200) and a Chodar Chuval from the second half of the 19th century (lot 77, $2,000 to $2,500).
Textiles
Notable textiles include a Kashmir moon shawl made in 19th century North India (lot 119, $10,000 to $15,000). In 2012, Skinner sold a Kashmir moon shawl for a record price of $59,250.
An unusually large central Asian Suzani (lot 118, $2,000 to $3,000) will also be auctioned.