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Beshir prayer rug, West Turkestan, second half 19th century, minor moth damage in one corner, small rewoven spot, 5 feet 2 inches x 3 feet 6 inches. Estimate $10,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.

Intense bidding expected at Skinner’s May 7 carpet auction

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

Beshir prayer rug, West Turkestan, second half 19th century, minor moth damage in one corner, small rewoven spot, 5 feet 2 inches x 3 feet 6 inches. Estimate $10,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Beshir prayer rug, West Turkestan, second half 19th century, minor moth damage in one corner, small rewoven spot, 5 feet 2 inches x 3 feet 6 inches. Estimate $10,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
BOSTON – Skinner Inc. will auction over 300 lots of fine Oriental rugs and carpets – including more than 50 room-sized carpets – at its Boston gallery on Saturday, May 7. The diverse and active collection includes Anatolian, Caucasian, Chinese, French, Indian and Persian rugs and carpets.

LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

The Beshir prayer rug, lot 117, featured on the front cover of the auction catalog, was made in West Turkestan in the last half of the 19th century. The estimated value of this rare piece is $10,000-$12,000. Other gems from West Turkestan include two Tekke Torbas both from the second half of the 19th century, one estimated at $2,000-$3,000, the other $800-$1,000.

The back cover of the printed auction catalog is lot 109, an East Anatolian Rug from the early 19th century. The estimated value of $12,000-$15,000 reflects the rug’s age and rarity. Also from the East is a Yuruk Rug, third quarter 19th century, valued at $6,000-$8,000. Representing Central Anatolia is lot 110, a Konya Prayer Rug, estimated at $3,500-$4,500. Southwest Anatolia highlights include lot 108, a Dazkiri Rug estimated at $4,000-$5,000 and lot 53, a Melas Rug estimated at $2,500-$3,500.

The largest carpet at auction will be lot 90, a 26 by 15 foot 4 inch Bidjar carpet from the late 19th century, northwest Persia. Its estimated value is $20,000-$25,000. Other offerings from the region include a runner, lot 133, from the last quarter 19th century, estimated at $4,000-$6,000; lot 136, a Bidjar carpet, last quarter 19th century, valued at $7,000-$9,000; and a Serapi carpet, late 19th/early 20th century, lot 114, estimated at $10,000-$12,000. Featured from West Persia is lot 138, a Fereghan-Sarouk carpet, estimated at $8,000-$10,000 and lot 140, a Fereghan Carpet, late 19th/early 20th century, valued at $10,000-$12,000. Finally from the southeast is lot 139, a Lavar Kerman carpet, second half 19th century, estimated at $8,000-$12,000.

Caucasian rugs are represented with several beautiful works coming from the southwest including lot 93, a Kazak rug, third quarter 19th century, estimated at $3,000-$4,000; a Sewan Kazak rug, lot 123, estimated at $6,000-$8,000; and lot 129, a Kazak prayer rug, last quarter 19th century, valued at $6,000-$8,000. Weavings from the East include the first lot in the sale, a Marasali prayer rug from the last quarter 19th century, valued at $2,500-$3,500; another Marasali prayer rug from the same time period, lot 121, estimated at $5,000-$7,000; and lot 99, an Akstafa prayer rug, from the last quarter 19th century, estimated at $2,500-$3,500.

In addition to rugs and carpets, the auction also includes a few lots of other textiles such as a shawl, some embroidery samplers, a saddle cover, and several central Asian Suzanis. There are also a few bags, including a Shahsavan Soumak Bag, lot 101, estimated at $1,500-$2,000, and several collections of books related to rugs and textiles.

Previews will be held at Skinner Inc.’s Boston gallery, located at 63 Park Plaza, on Thursday, May 5, 2-5 p.m.; Friday, May 6, 2-7 p.m.; and Saturday, May 7, 9-11 a.m.

For more information call 508-970-3000.

 

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Marasali prayer rug, East Caucasus, last quarter 19th century, reovercast, 4 feet 10 inches x 3 feet 6 inches. Estimate: $2,500-$3,500. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Marasali prayer rug, East Caucasus, last quarter 19th century, reovercast, 4 feet 10 inches x 3 feet 6 inches. Estimate: $2,500-$3,500. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Bidjar carpet, northwest Persia, late 19th century, small areas of minor wear, several small repairs, 26 feet x 15 feet 4 inches. Estimate $20,000-$25,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Bidjar carpet, northwest Persia, late 19th century, small areas of minor wear, several small repairs, 26 feet x 15 feet 4 inches. Estimate $20,000-$25,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Bidjar carpet, northwest Persia, late 19th century, small areas of minor wear, several small repairs, 26 feet x 15 feet 4 inches. Estimate $20,000-$25,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Bidjar carpet, northwest Persia, late 19th century, small areas of minor wear, several small repairs, 26 feet x 15 feet 4 inches. Estimate $20,000-$25,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Shahsavan Soumak bag, northwest Persia, last quarter 19th century, two small holes, corner wear, slight moth damage, 2 feet 2 inches x 1 feet 10 inches. Estimate $1,500-$2,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Shahsavan Soumak bag, northwest Persia, last quarter 19th century, two small holes, corner wear, slight moth damage, 2 feet 2 inches x 1 feet 10 inches. Estimate $1,500-$2,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.