In the face of a fluctuating stock market and growing economic instability, demand has increased significantly for High-Collectible and Connoisseur-Caliber 19th century rugs. Jan David Winitz, President of Claremont Rug Co., has become one of the world’s leading purveyors of antique, art-level Oriental rugs, most from the 19th-century. His active clients include more than 40 people from Forbes’ list of the world’s richest billionaires, two Nobel Prize winners, rock stars, Hollywood types, and Silicon Valley executives. Over the past few years he has seen a marked increase in customers who make their living in finance – investment bankers, fund managers, and venture capitalists. Says Winitz: “They, in particular, see the rugs as a compelling arena for diversification, as precious tangible assets become a more central investment option.”

The article “19th Century Oriental Rugs Emerge As An Art Asset” appeared in The Wall Street Journal in September 2022 and reiterated what financial pundits are seeing in fine art’s ascension as a stable investment and exposed the vibrant interest worldwide in this niche. Its author expressed, “Some less-prominent forms of fine art also represent ideal investment opportunities, especially because they offer more attractive—i.e., significantly less costly—entry points for new collectors. Take High-Collectible and Connoisseur-Caliber antique Oriental rugs as a case in point. The best 19th-century examples often sell between five figures and low six figures…and have the potential to appreciate exponentially.”

Says Winitz: “Frankly, only an extremely small percentage of the 100-200 year old Persian and tribal antique carpets that are available are what I specialize in. As a life-long investor, I have experienced that highly unique pieces I bought 20 to 30 years ago have increased in value many-fold. The extremely rare 17th- and 18th-century pieces in my own private collection have literally skyrocketed. As the demand for the best 19th-century antiques continues to escalate and their already very limited availability dwindles further, the next decade should be infinitely more exciting than even the past 30 years have been.”

***