My family has been in the carpet trade for generations, but I never expected my own career to follow that path. A life in academia was far more likely which suited my scholarly nature. That all changed while I was still a student in the mid-1980s working on my Ph.D. at the London School of Economics. My late father had always advised me to find a ‘sideline’, and suggested I learn something about antique tribal rugs. I remember the first one I ever bought in Camden Market, an intriguing 19th century Afshar rug. After cleaning it in my bath, I was amazed by the transformation, from a dirty rag to a glistening woven gem. It felt like alchemy. When I completed my Ph.D., I decided to take a sabbatical, but became a full-time antique rug dealer and never looked back.

From the beginning, I was fascinated by Persian tribal rugs, the people who wove them, the craftsmanship, the symbolism of the designs, but particularly by the remarkable depth and variegation of colour that could be achieved with hand spun wool and natural dyes. As my career evolved, my interests broadened into new areas, including furnishing carpets, East European Kilims and Central Asian textiles. I soon learnt that just as cleaning antique rugs and textiles with great dyes could be alchemical, furnishing with those items could be equally transformative in interior spaces.

Some thirty-five years later I can reflect on the excellent choice I made during my sabbatical year, and consider myself to have been extremely privileged to have worked in the field. I have travelled extensively, handled countless beautiful and rare objects, and worked with some wonderful clients who shared my ideas about colour, texture and design to decorate beautiful spaces and build collections. Furthermore, it has constantly stimulated my intellectual curiosity motivating me to pursue various research projects which has resulted in numerous articles for Hali Magazine and other publications. My current project is a book on Ukrainian kilims.

However, after three decades of continuous trading, it feels like a good moment to take stock, perhaps a belated second sabbatical. In particular, I want to create space to complete the Ukrainian Kilim book, and to spend more time with my grandchildren in Miami.

It also feels like the right moment to offer a wider audience the opportunity to own items which I have collected and enjoyed, including several items that have spent time in my home. I am grateful to Dreweatts, and in particular to Ben Brown, Mitchell Tompkins and Will Turkington, for offering me the opportunity to co-operate on this curated collection. It is an innovative concept and, one that presents rugs and textiles not just as beautiful objects, but also contextualises them in decorative settings.

Life is full of surprises. And I cannot wait for the next chapter in mine. One thing is for sure; antique textiles and rugs will be a significant part of it.

View page turning catalogue

Auction Details

Wednesday 7 & Thursday 8 May 2025, 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

Browse the auction
Sign up to email alerts

VIEWING:

• Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury: Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Friday 2 May: 10am-4pm
  • Saturday 3 May: 10am-3pm
  • Sunday 4 May: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 5 May: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 6 May: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 7 May: 9am-4pm
  • Thursday 8 May: 9am-1pm
• Dreweatts 360 Virtual Auction Tour | Available from Saturday 3 May