Jan David Winitz, founder and president of Claremont Rug Company in Oakland, California announces “The Intercontinental Collection.” This old european family collection is on view currently at the Claremont Rug Company and will sell piece by piece, on the Claremont website starting Saturday, April 3rd. Winitz says “museum-level Oriental rugs are strongly entering the arena of major art collectors” and that “top-tier antique rugs provide another dividend: they are tangible investments that can be lived with and immensely enjoyed as they grow in rarity.” - Forbes
Recent Carpet Auction nets $7,328,713/€4,441,644
The 500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe sale in New York sold 75% by lot 82% by value, November 2009.
Stefam Kist of Christie's claims: "...Encouraging estimates brought new and established buyers in to the saleroom and delivered great results." Jan David Winitz, founder/presiden of Claremont Rug Company was quoted as saying: "As we saw last month at the Sotheby's sale, art-level Oriental rugs are realizing sifnigicant prices, with pieces in the Christie's sale consistently selling above their estimates, often 2-3 times over the high range prediction."
Christie's Images Ltd. 2009
"Investment-level" rugs on the rise
More and more people are turning to antique carpets as investment opportunities. Jan David Wintz, founder and president of Claremont Rug Company noted an "unprecedented interest in the best art-level antique Oriental rugs during our 30 years of business". 25% of the buyers of "investment-level" rugs offered by Claremont are first time buyers. Wintz added, "The extremely vibrant demand for the best rugs parallels the notable turn to rare tangible assets, such as Old Masters paintings, coins and jewelry."
Claremont opened it’s Threefold Collection event in October 2008 and these new pieces will be added to this ongoing event.
In April 2008, The New York Times wrote that antique rugs are increasingly rare, connoisseurship is more sophisticated and prices are escalating.
