Auction: Meyer-Muller, Part II

There were 188 lots, of which slightly less than half (81) were the Meyer-Muller consignments. The total value of the sale was $954,000, with 71% of the lots sold. The value of the Meyer-Muller lots was $430,000 with 70 lots selling (78%). Approximately 50 lots were roomsize decorative carpets. (All values are hammer totals and do not include the 10% buyers commission.) The room was essentially filled and midway through it became standing room only. A bank of nine telephones reflected the desire to participate of the European dealer contingent and many collectors unable to attend. Although there was plenty of action from the floor, the telephones were continually busy until the decorative lots began to come up. At times as many as six phones were active on a single lot. Thus there was plenty of competition and the prices showed it in many instances. Ms. Guzman, whom we had not seen auctioneer before, was very effective and was extremely skillful in her coaxing of bids up to the reserve level. Of the early lots, Lots 22-27 from a Minnesota collector included four nice, rare Turkoman pieces in very dirty condition. Two incorrectly cataloged juvals -- Lot 26, cataloged Saryq but actually Ersari, and Lot 21, called Tekke but truly Saryq -- went to an American collection very reasonably for $1,000 and $950 respectively. Lot 42, a Sileh rug, estimated $6,000-$9,000, sold on the floor for a predictable $14,000. Lot 43 was the first piece that brought the crowd alive. It was an 18th century Kuba runner, a type of which only a few are known. Estimated at $3,000-$4,000, it sold on the phone after hard competition from the collectors on the floor for $9,000. Activity increased with the Meyer-Muller consignment, Lots 45 to 125. They consisted of 29 Caucasian, 22 Turkoman, 12 Turkish, 10 Baluch, two East Turkestan, and six rugs of other types. Because of Christie's recent decision to have only one rug sale a year, eight ensis were included in the Turkoman group. This looked like too many for one sale, and we were surprised when seven of them sold at an average price of $5,000 (range $4,000 to $6,200). The finest Turkoman piece and in best condition was Lot 106; estimated $10,000-$14,000, it made a well deserved $26,000. The two East Turkestan rugs -- Lot 96, estimated $2.5,000-$35,000, and Lot 105, estimated $20,000-$30,000 -- sold for $23,000 and $50,000 respectively. The same telephone bidder (Halevim again?) also bought the other East Turkestan lot 159, estimated $40,000-$60,000, for $25,000. The latter piece shared design similarities but not color and condition with the Meyer Muller lot, which sold in the prior sale for $130,000. Lot 51, the second most important carpet in the Central Asian group, estimated $12,000-$18,000, failed to elicite a bid. However, little is known about these carpets; this one was attributed to the Kirghiz but it might have been Uzbek or Karakalpak. Despite the presence of animals and human figures scattered in the field, they weren't close enough to mother goddess or feather images to generate interest.

Lot 60 did seem to be filled with feathers, and it brought the room alive and enjoyed the longest bidding run of the evening. Cataloged as a Northwest Persian long rug, third quarter 19th century (but probably earlier), it was estimated at $7,000-$9,000. We have not seen anything like it before but the colors, including a lot of purple, were spectacular. Almost the entire bank of phones came alive for this piece as did several individuals on the floor. During the bidding as the holders let the rug sag, one wag in the audience shouted, "HoId that sucker up so we can see what it looks like!" It ultimately went on the phone for $32,000. Although the majority of the Meyer-Muller rugs were not out of the ordinary, the existence of good provenance, condition, and verified collection dates does appear to create more interest. Maybe the little brass inventory tags were what bidders really wanted.

The first lot after this group was the cover lot, an ivory Yomud seven-sided asmalyk of a rare type. Estimated at $50,000-$60,000, it sold on the phone for $50,000. The only other known examples are a pair published in Bausback's 1983 catalog. The unpatterned skirt and simpler upper border made this piece appear slightly older. The white wool had a wonderful texture.

Lot 130 was a pair of Baluch bagfaces with the birds, estimated $2,000-$3,000. These had one white bird near the center and a white ground main border. They were finely woven in nice, soft wool. They sold on the phone for $4,800. Did the buyer note that the birds were looking back over their shoulder instead of straight ahead as in most examples? A new subgroup of this type perhaps?

The decorative rugs were also surprisingly strong with mainly dealers participating in this action. The star lot of this group was Lot 160, a Serapi carpet estimated $12,000-$16,000. The weave was the finest one gets in Heriz district rugs. The pale green spandrels, light salmon field, and large ivory medallion were sheer perfection for this type. At 11'4"x8'4" it was also an ideal size for use in virtually any room. It went to Peter Pap for $24,000.

If present decisions hold, this will be the last Oriental rug auction at Christie's until next January. This auction house is presently undergoing many changes as a result of staff reductions throughout its worldwide operation. A group consisting mainly of Persian rugs in the Meyer-Muller Collection remain to be sold. Neither the owners nor Christie's have yet made any statement on what will be done with these rugs. Watch these pages for information as it becomes available.