PRESS RELEASE:
NAIN RUG BRINGS $9,500 AT LEIGHTON'S AUCTION
Persian Nain carpets highlighted our September 2nd sale, which had 600 bidders including Internet, no reserves, and was 100% sold with many lots exceeding high estimate. After years of delicately preparing our consigners for the potential disappointing sale of their estate carpets, we were very surprised when the opening bids quickly ratcheted up, and the carpets eventually sold at many times above their estimates.
Leading off the carpet group was a 13.9x10.4 Persian Nain wool and silk rug that quickly rose up from a $550 opening internet bid through a series of on-site bidders to a final hammer price of $4,800 (estimate of $400-600). Next up was a similar but somewhat smaller Nain rug that started out with a $425 internet bid and like the larger example, rocketed up to $4,100 (estimate $300-500). Last up was a large 19.8x13.4 Nain, still bearing its Iran label. The neutral tones suited it well for contemporary decorating, appealing to our many retail-buying attendees. The first bid called out was a $500 offer quickly followed by a series of on-site, phone and Internet bids. The final sale came down to a determined on-site retail buyer battling an equally determined Internet bidder bringing the winning bid of $9,500 (estimate $500-700). Applause broke out as the hammer closed the sale. After years of usually disappointing rug sales, hopefully we're seeing some strengthening in the market.
The Nains were part of a collection of a HoHoKus, New Jersey estate that also included many good listed artworks, with many selling in the thousands. Contemporary formal furniture by quality makers, also from the estate, came against some aggressive bidding with many pieces selling above high estimate. For example, a set of four Karges bergeres brought $1,700 (estimate $800-1,200), a pair of chinoiserie display cabinets realized $1,100 (estimate $500-700), and a Karges dinette table sold at $800 (estimate $300-500).
Bidding also proved extremely strong on a few lots of fine writing instruments. An enamel Montegrappa fountain pen in sterling sold for $1,600 (estimate $400-600). A Waterman Signe Boucheron fountain pen realized $1,300 (estimate $400-600). A group of ten writing instruments including Waterman and S.T. Dupont sold for $750 (estimate $150-200). And a group of four Montblanc pens was hammered in at $600 (estimate $150-200).
Other surprises of the evening included a pair of cloisonné and ivory Asian figures selling for $1,200 (estimate $200-400), a French Fashion doll selling for $800 (estimate $200-400), a pair of brass and crystal girandoles sold for $1,000 (estimate $150-250), a pair of painted porcelain plaques attributed to Coalport garnered $1,500 (estimate $600-800), and a pair of Old Paris campana urns realized $2000 well exceeding its modest estimate of $300-500.