On Auctions
I have become totally addicted to auctions.
There’s a place in Renton that auctions off estates, and I’ve been going quite regularly–coming home laden with stuff I don’t need (and in many cases, I confess, that I don’t really want). It’s easy to get caught up in the heat of it all. The first one I went to found me with three Kaoru Kawano woodblocks. Sure, the price was right–but I don’t even really LIKE Kawano prints. I think he was a pedophile; all his little girls look really freaky. I’ve bought table linens, kitchen goodies (the $5 espresso maker was a real winner), random pottery …
But I have to tell you: I am really pleased with the carpet I just bought last Thursday.
Never mind the fact that I don’t need new rugs.
Now, I’m on a kick to become a carpet expert. I checked out a bunch of books from the library, and am thinking that it may be a Lesghi Shirvan carpet. Does anyone know anything about carpets? Am I right?
Also, I have two carpets that were my great great grandfather’s, and am pretty sure that they are a Fereghan …
and an Akstafa …
Anyone?
Comments
I know nothing about carpets but those ones look cool. I like the bird patterns on the third carpet.
No auctions around here but I bought a 1970s style coffeepot from Vinnies a few weeks ago. It was only $3 and I’ve used it every day since.
I like the bird patterns too …
what’s Vinnie’s? And don’t you love bargains like that? I’ve gotten a little out of control with the auctions. I really, really didn’t need (or even want) more wine glasses. But the whole box was five dollars. Sigh.
Just thought it might be helpful to add;
I believe the first rug (the runner, 5 medallion mostly blue)
is not Shirvan because the size is quite commonly found made in Kuba, or Baku. Shirvan rugs usually have diamond or starburst medallions and they usually have 2 or 3 since they are rarely narrow and long. The design is not Lesghi because the octagon shapes are more likely from the east Central or North Caucasus. Talish, Kuba or baku are most likely.
The second rug which was identifed as a Fereghan is actually a Kurdish bidjar Herati motif. It is quite similar to a mir or Boteh (pearleaf) bwcause there is;
1) the tribal rectilinear decoration
2) the telltale red colour, a fereghan is more likely coral or rusty red
3) the dragon and phoenix border
The third rug is an Akstafa as it is hard to mistake the peacock design. It is probably a Shirvan Akstafa also, the real way to tell is to look at the weave and feel the carpet knotting type, wool and consistency. As there are 3 kinds of knots used in weaving persian rugs (ghorides, persian or jufti, spanish) and visual clues give only part of the equation in an identification/valuation analysis
Best regards
Shan
Shan, thanks so much–and sorry it took me so long to respond to your post.