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N THE 16TH CENTURY, Cardinal Wolsey of England
was a great collector of carpets. It is said that when the
Venetian ambassador presented him with a bale of Turkish
rugs, Wolsey demanded 100 more to furnish his palace
at Hampton Court. His rival collector? King Henry VII.
Men like Frick, Hearst, and Getty developed great collections
in their time. And for 21st-century titans, there is a
dealer who provides access to the world's finest rugs.
Jan David Winitz, founder and president of the Claremont
Rug Company, deals in art-level Persian antique rugs
for the connoisseur -- whether one is looking for a home
collection, or buying as an investment. "Many clients start
with one room and ask us to place a piece. We have two
clients in particular who are incorporating rugs into their
private museums," says Winitz, whose main showroom is
in Oakland, Calif. His passion and knowledge have gained
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him access to private collections worldwide since he began
the company in 1980.
Winitz and his experienced staff cater completely to their
clients, people with whom they have worked a number of
times. "We help find which aspect of rugs they're interested
in," he says. "Some people focus on tribal rugs or Caucasian.
We give private tutorials, so they can make educated decisions
when the great piece arrives." There are many factors
to consider when purchasing collectible rugs from the 19th
and 20th centuries, including cost. For a small rug measuring
three by five feet, prices start in the $6,000 to $10,000 range,
with a rare specimen costing more than $100,000. Roomsize
carpets begin around $18,000 and can top $300,000.
By Kate Wafer, published in the September 2008 issue
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