IMAGE DETAILS

Tekke ak chuval fragment, mid 19th century, central Asia, 0.55 x 0.39m, lot 15, estimate: €100, sold for €600 ($810)

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17 March 2005

Hans Homm reports: Rippon Boswell's sale on 13 March 2005 in Wiesbaden was one of what used to be called their non-catalogue sales, a term that is now not entirely correct since every lot in these sales is pictured on the company's website, and can also be seen on a CD-Rom that is available on request.

The 224 lots were divided into three distinct sections. The first 56 lots were the last pieces from the Lesley & Robert Pinner Collection of Turkmen and Central Asian rugs, which the auctioneer, Detlef Maltzahn, referred to as the "Study Collection". The quality of the offering varied much more than those sold in the main Pinner auction in 14 May 2004. However there was still lively action in the room, and strong phone bidding as well. Indeed some of the more interesting pieces outperformed items sold in May 2004: top price for this section was the €2,040 ($2,760) paid for a Yomut Turkmen chuval (lot 28), with a strong Chodor influence. Given that it had good colours, a good design, and only slight condition problems, it was a bargain. Less of a steal was lot 15, a Tekke ak chuval fragment, perhaps only 30% of the original, which made €600 ($810). Anyone who follows the market closely has seen similar complete ak chuvals sell for less, or actually failing to sell at a similar price. The sale shows that the advantage of provenance at auction is that it helps both the top lots reach the higher ends of their price brackets and lesser pieces sell for more than they would anywhere else. It is comforting to know that a lot of collectors now own Pinner Collection piece and that whenever they look at these objects they will remember this great pioneer, aficionado, and scholar.

The next 112 lots were all consigned by the well-known Swedish dealer Peter Willborg from Stockholm. These were completely different to the Pinner offering, and they received a completely different reception from the audience. Although the room was relatively full, bidding was cautious and sporadic, making this part of the sale something of an uphill struggle. All the pieces offered were attractive, ready to use, high quality weavings but expectations proved to be a bit high. The undisputed star lot of this section was the very well published Victorin carpet: a 300-year-old Transcaucasian palmette carpet. It did not sell immediately but there was bidding which suggests a sale may happen within the ensuing month.

The remaining 56 lots (there were two late entries), were more typical of what is seen in these smaller RB sales in that quality varied greatly, there were a few sleepers and some bargains. This part of the sale roused the audience somewhat and we even saw a glimpse of the bazaar feeling that accompanies the best of these sales.