Many of you will already know Kerry Taylor’s London-based auction house for its expertise in antique and vintage fashion, for which the company is renowned worldwide. Since the ex-Sotheby’s auctioneer started the firm in 2003 each sale has contained a relatively small section of quality textiles, alongside the amazing array of couture-wear. However, the upcoming sale on Tuesday 8 April is set to pull in a much larger textile crowd. A significant number of lots will be textiles from across the globe, including an important single-owner collection of Central Asian, Ottoman, Indian, Persian and Moroccan textiles and robes.
More specifically the sale will feature numerous beautiful ikat coats, Central Asian textiles including a group of suzanis. There will also be a selection of good quality Kashmir shawls, Indian costume and Persian textiles, including a gigantic Rescht panel, circa 1860, (estimate £4000-6000) in great condition. Russian robes are a particularly strong feature, plus Chinese costume, such as an orange silk semi-formal robe, circa 1900 (estimate £4000-6000).
This mandarin robe is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue Giuseppe Messerotti Benvenuti. Un italiano nella Cina dei boxer. Pictures and letters (1900-1901), a publication which reproduces photographs taken in October 1901 showing Benvenuti's family members wearing this robe and also the lady's robe and accessories in the following lot.
