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Claremont Rug Company Holds Globally
Significant Exhibition
Mon Dec 17, 2007
Jan David Winitz Lecture Will Highlight Showing of Rare, 19th
Century Caucasus Rugs
OAKLAND, CA — Jan David Winitz, founder and president of Claremont
Rug Company, will deliver his second lecture on the timeless symbolism and
Profound artistic inspiration of the rugs from the Caucasus Mountain region as
part of a globally significant exhibition.
"It is increasingly difficult to experience the range and artistic brilliance of
this tradition as exhibitions have dwindled to just two annually on a world-wide basis," he said.
"This event offers aficionados a unique opportunity to immerse themselves
in this rare group of rugs. I am pleased that the first lecture drew a
full-house," Winitz said, "and the response has caused us to extend the
exhibition into February 2008."
A world-recognized connoisseur and author, Winitz will also provide a valuable
perspective about collecting and investing in antique tribal rugs at the lecture,
scheduled for Sunday, January 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the company's Claremont II
gallery, 1813 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA.
Entitled "The Longevity of the Caucasian People and the Effect of Their Life
Wisdom on Their Weavings", the lecture is being held in conjunction with an
exhibition containing more than 50 collectible antique rugs woven by the tribal
people living in the Caucasus Mountains.
"The weavings of the Caucasus in the 19th century are among the most interesting
among the tribal rugs. The highly abstracted motifs are truly a precursor to modern
Western art. From my research and many interviews with tribal people, I will
provide a unique look, through their rugs and their designs, into their fascinating
culture.
"It is safe to say that this exhibition offers visitors one of the most extensive looks
in recent years anywhere in the world at great Caucasian rugs and the people who
wove them," he said.
Included
in the exhibition and highlighted during the lecture are rugs from
Claremont's renowned collection, built over nearly three decades, and
from Winitz's personal trove. The first lecture, delivered in November
when the exhibition opened, was Winitz's first in more than a decade.
"Frankly, as the demands our business have grown and I spend of the vast majority
of my time working on large customer projects and building collections for our
private clients, it has become difficult also to lecture."
"However, the rugs of the Caucasus region are increasing in importance as art-level
carpets disappear from the market," he said. "They offer a rich variety in themes
and many current and potential collectors find the rugs enormously attractive. This
has been consistently reflected in their investment valuations, which continue to
rise as they become more difficult to find."
The Caucasus Mountains region, an area situated between ancient Persia and Russia,
was the home of more than 300 disparate tribal groups who sought refuge from
invaders in their towering peaks from as early as 2000 B.C. until the end of the 19th
century. The region is widely known for producing a population where living well
past 100 years is not uncommon and for its rich and an exceedingly diverse cultural
legacy.
Also
see:
FINANCIAL TIMES - "Treasures You Purchase to Hold on to" (3/29/08)
Download printable version 
MARKET WATCH / THE WALL STREET JOURNAL - "Global Leap in Best Antique Rugs as Major Works of Art " (7/14/08)
Download printable version
MARKET WATCH / THE WALL STREET JOURNAL - "Domestic and International Connoisseurs Embrace Antique Rug Sales Event in “Next Frontier of Art Investing” " (6/2/08)
Download printable version
THE MERCURY NEWS - "Rare rugs" (5/30/08)
Download printable version
YAHOO FINANCE - "Claremont Rug Company Announces Additional Hudson River Valley Collection " (4/30/08)
Download printable version
FORBES.COM - "Claremont Rug Company Acquires “Mother Lode” Collection of 19th Century Art Carpets" (2/12/08)
Download printable version
FORBES.COM - "Increasingly Savvy Clients and Decreasing Availability Combine with Internet To Create Perfect Storm in Rare Rug Market" (10/24/07)
Download printable version
MORNINGSTAR.COM - "Demand for Antique Carpets and Rugs Expands While Availability is Reduced" (9/16/07)
Download printable version
FORBES.COM - "Leading Antique Carpet Dealer Cites Boom in Internet Sales" (9/5/07)
Download printable version
WORTH MAGAZINE - "Masterpieces Underfoot "
Download printable version
CALIFORNIA CEO - "Putting
Out the Red Carpet: The Claremont Rug Company has woven a close
relationship with its customers thanks to a wise use of the Web."
Download printable version
CIO Magazine
- "Carpetbaggers: The Claremont Rug Co., purveyor of antique carpets
made centuries ago by Southwest Asian nomads, has benefited doubly from
the great leap forward to the Internet."
FINANCIAL TIMES - "How
To Spend It: East bay passions. The sit-ins are long since over, says
Holly Finn, but Berkeley has plenty to shout about...The Claremont Rug
Company - one of the world's best sources of antique carpets - is here."
Download printable version
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE - "Art At Your Feet: Antique or copied oriental rugs express their weavers' inspirations"
Download printable version
OAKLAND TRIBUNE - "Web Helps Rug Store Clinch Sales"
BEL AIR ARTICLE - "What Hotel Bel Air (Beverly Hills, CA) says about Claremont Rug" |
