For my two-day jaunt to and from Bolton to attend the Skinner January 22 rug sale, the weather ranged from sunshine to custard-thick fog, from rain to sleet and snow, from 25 knot winds to dead calm, living up to the New England axiom: if you aren't happy with the present conditions, just wait a minute.
| Lot 37. An early 20th century Senna in extremely good condition, it was rendered in the "Cabbage Rose" pattern, something of an "acquired taste," admired by some, despised by others. This finely woven rug was executed in rich colors of wine, rose, bright blue, gold, light and dark green on a very deep blue field, and was estimated at $3,000 to $5,000. It was enthusiastically pursued and was won by a dealer for $7,150. |
Auctioneer Karen Keane opened the sale with some fairly predictable South Persian and Caucasian pieces, which brought respectable prices, and proceeded to one of the more important items, Lot 37. An early 20th century Senna in extremely good condition, it was rendered in the "Cabbage Rose" pattern, something of an "acquired taste," admired by some, despised by others. This finely woven rug was executed in rich colors of wine, rose, bright blue, gold, light and dark green on a very deep blue field, and was estimated at $3,000 to $5,000. It was enthusiastically pursued and was won by a dealer for $7,150.
 | Lot 49 |
Lot 53 was the first good carpet offered. A small (10'2"x7'7") Bakshaish with a very compelling ivory serrated leaf and diamond border and a blue medallion on a terra cotta field, it was offered from a private museum. Flying past its conservative estimate of $4,000-$6,000, it brought $19,800, confirming the high regard in which these carpets are still held.
The Turkoman offerings fared badly at this sale, with most bought in. Quite a few were collectable but most had condition problems coupled with ambitious reserves. Turkoman collectors have become increasingly aware of condition and quality and, therefore, have become more discerning in their purchasing. The buy-ins were somewhat predictable.
 | Lot 138. |
A South Persian rug, probably woven by a Khamseh tribe, Lot 144 was rare but not to everyone's taste. It featured four large, chained tigers surrounding an ivory rectangular medallion. Despite its murky, unappealing color, its rarity prevailed to bring $3,300 against a $1,500 to $1,800 estimate.
Lot 178 was a very collectable Kurd rug with a field of ascending leaf and flower motifs. Somewhat crooked, it had outstanding wool and the best, clear and bright Kurdish colors you can find. A truly "inviting" rug, it was reasonably and astutely bid to $2,300.
This was a good sale in many ways. Seventy-four percent of the lots sold, indicating depth in the market. As always, good rugs with reasonable estimates sell, and this is a market Skinner carefully cultivates. They do sell great things very successfully, but anyone can sell great things well.
This sale may also have been a "rug first." The salesroom personnel were all women, selling to a predominantly male audience -- very entertaining, and the ladies certainly ran a tight sale.
Skinner has no plans to raise its 10 percent buyer's premium, unlike Christie's almost sickening rush to follow Sotheby's lead. We are all aware of the standard argument about buying cost comparisons with European and its V.A.T., but when will it all end? This may prove to be an extremely wise tactic on Skinner's part if American buyers resist playing this game.
Altogether a sound sale for these times. Even if you didn't buy, like all Skinner sales this one was an excellent opportunity to examine, learn, and network with other enthusiasts. At Skinner, if you don't like what you are looking at, just wait a minute. Figures reflect 10% buyer's premium.
