Antiques, antiques auctions, recent purchases and discussion

Jr Mouse said:

Fantastic kop Gus!

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Thanks!

I've been getting some very nice pieces at excellent prices if I can participate in auctions (not Ebay) that take place mid-week and where my categories are in the minority attracting less attention and competition. I bid low and just wait for the good deals in good condition. That strategy is serving me well.

I'm surprised how many items I see that have great design but are in rough condition going for high prices when there is a lot of competition. Patience pays!

Picked up another vintage Native American rug. I was very attracted to the rich red color and the simple black graphics common in the early rugs. This is just the right size for a wall hanging at 30 x 45"

whats the critter in the middle? Armadillo?

Medwed said:

I don't understand these carpets. Can you explain the context to me? Is it NA & thus collectible? Is it made on a loom?

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Such textiles must be loom made. This is a **** tapestry weave, the most common technique used world wide for flat weaves. Originally made as blankets, these changed to "rug production" for the white man's commercial market. William Randolph Hearst made a great collection of such old weaving.

RedLantern said:

whats the critter in the middle? Armadillo?

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Your guess is as good as mine but I'd think it was more likely a horned toad (common in the Southwest). I've run across some very unusual "creatures" woven onto Navajo rugs including some that look like aliens. From my research the older pictoral designs are more interpretive often inspired by "spirits" or critters such as waterbugs, spiders, etc., and natural forces like lightning bolts. Newer rugs, from the 70's and later tend to be more literal as far as pictorial designs including pickup trucks, and even cartoon characters. I've never come across one that was attributed to an armadillo but maybe this is one weavers interpretation of one?

Late 17th Century oil on canvas by Gerrit Alberts. The companion piece to this currently resides in the Museum Het Valkhof in Nijmegen (the artist's home town).

https://rkd.nl/en/explore/images/148615

Please excuse the photography, but you get the idea.

Very grand looking. That painting technique, giving the face a glow, is an amazing skill.

Gus said:

Picked up another vintage Native American rug. I was very attracted to the rich red color and the simple black graphics common in the early rugs. This is just the right size for a wall hanging at 30 x 45"

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Really like this one. Where do you usually source your rugs?

Jr Mouse said:

Really like this one. Where do you usually source your rugs?

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I’ve been following a number of different auctions online that are not EBay or picking them up from estate liquidations at better flea markets or auction houses. But large collections at auctions really bring out competition and much higher prices.