One of James Opie’s rugs, a Bordjalou Kazak rug. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000. Grogan and Co. Fine Art Auctioneers.
The week-long exhibition culminates in a gallery talk with guest speaker James Opie on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
A magnificent example from the 60 rugs to be offered from the Opie Collection is a large Kampsheh Carpet, woven in the early 20th century in South Persia. The 15 foot 5 inch by 7 foot 9 inch carpet depicts thousands of birds parading across a midnight blue field and is expected to fetch $20,000-$30,000. Opie, a noted rug scholar, collector and dealer from Portland, Ore., is author of two legendary books, Tribal Rugs; A Complete Guide to Nomadic and Village Rugs (1998), and Tribal Rugs of Southern Persia (1982), both of which, continue to be primary resources for rug connoisseurs.
Another highlight is a mid 19th century Chinese Peking rug from the collection of Aram Jerrehian, scion of the Philadelphia rug emporium bearing his family’s name. The 8 foot 7 inch by 6 foot 2 inch rug features lively dragons surrounded by a wave border and bears a presale estimate of $10,000-$15,000. A rare 19th century Chinese RKO rug from a London collector, estimated at $10,000-$20,000, will also be featured in the sale, along with 30 Turkman weavings from the Eric Risman collection.
Auctioneer Michael Grogan, known for his keen knowledge of Oriental rugs, ran the Sotheby’s New York Rug department from 1978-1984, before establishing his own auction firm in 1988 in Boston. In anticipation of the January sale, Grogan has assembled a selection of over 300 fine carpets from prominent collections around the globe. “I have been pleased with the global response to the sale announcement this fall,” said Grogan, the president of Grogan and Co., “Rugs have been coming in not only from U.S. collections, but also from collector’s in the United Kingdom, Europe and Canada.”
Grogan’s discovery last year of a rare Turkoman Salor Ensi in a West Hampton, N.Y., house, created an international stir when he auctioned it in May for $240,000.
“I enjoy the worldwide interest our rug auctions generate,” said Grogan. “This is our largest and most varied rug auction to date. Clients looking for decorative floor carpets or rare collector pieces will have plenty to choose from.”
For more information call 781-461-9500.
Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
One of James Opie’s rugs, a Bordjalou Kazak rug. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000. Grogan and Co. Fine Art Auctioneers. Serapi carpet, 18 feet 10 inches x 12 feet 1 inch. Estimate: $18,000-$25,000. Grogan and Co. Fine Art Auctioneers. Rare Chinese RKO rug. Estimate: $10,000-20,000. Grogan and Co. Fine Art Auctioneers. Seychour Soumac rug, 9 feet x 3 feet 7 inches. Estimate: $5,000-$8,000. Grogan and Co. Fine Art Auctioneers. Whimsical Tibetan tiger rug, 6 feet 10 inches x 5 feet 1 inch. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Grogan and Co. Fine Art Auctioneers.
