BOSTON, Mass. – September 12, 2005 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation’s leading auction houses, will host an auction of Oriental Rugs and Carpets in Boston on October 8, 2005 . The sale, which will begin at 12 noon , will offer an especially fine group of room size carpets, a rich selection of Caucasian weavings, and an interesting variety of West Turkestan examples among its highlights.

Room Size Carpets
The auction's carpets hail from various origins, led by a large (18 feet 6 inches by 11 feet 2 inches) Northwest Persian Serapi (lot 139, $25/35,000). Others from the same area include a Serapi measuring 14 feet 2 inches by 10 feet 6 inches (lot 98, $20/25,000), and a third measuring 14 feet 4 inches by 10 feet 2 inches (lot 72, $8/10,000). Additional selections feature a Northwest Persian Garrus Bidjar carpet (lot 102, $20/25,000), a West Persian Fereghan-Sarouk (lot 136, $12/15,000), and a West Anatolian Ushak (lot 137, $20/30,000), as well as an Indian carpet (lot 100, $20/30,000), a Northeast Caucasian Soumak (lot 140, $7/9,000), an Indian Amritsar (lot 71, $5/7,000), and a Northwest Persian Tabriz small carpet (lot 99, $5/7,000).

Caucasian Weavings
Bidders favoring Caucasian rugs will find an extensive selection. Highlighting southern Caucasian weavings are an Akstafa long rug (lot 91, $10/12,000), a Moghan long rug (lot 124, $8/10,000), a Karabagh (lot 132, $7/9,000), and three Talish long rugs (lots 132, 133 and 66, $7/9,000 $5/7,000, and $5/7,000 respectively). A fine group of Kazaks features two long rugs (lots 92 and 67, $5/7,000 and $3/5,000 respectively), a mid-19 th century example (lot 123, $3/5,000), a Karachoph (lot 62, $3,5/4,500), and a Fachralo prayer rug (lot 60, $2/2,500). Rounding out the offerings are a Chelaberd rug (lot 97, $7/9,000) and a Talish prayer rug from the last quarter of the 19 th century (lot 95, $4,5/5,500). From the Northeast, examples include a Kuba long rug (lot 120, $7/9,000), two other Kubas (lots 96 and 134, $5/7,000 and $3,5/4,000), and a Konaghend rug, all from the last quarter of the 19 th century (lot 121, $3,5/4,500).

Additional Highlights
Selected Persian weavings also will draw interest, among them a striking Motasham Kashan rug (lot 118, $8/12,000), an Isphahan prayer rug (lot 90, $5/7,000), a Serapi (lot 86, $5/7,000), and a Qashqai Kelim (lot 111, $4/6,000). Additional examples include a Fereghan-Sarouk (lot 83, $4/6,000), a pair of Qashqai bagfaces (lot 127, $2,5/3,500), and two samplers (lots 104 and 126, $2/2,500 each). From West Turkestan , offerings range from a Yomud Ensi (lot 105, $3,5/4,000), to a Tekke Torba (lot 106, $2/2,500), to a Saryk Chuval (lot 108, $1,5/2,000), to a Tekke Chuval (lot 107, $1,2/1,500). An early to mid-19 th century Khotan rug from East Turkestan (lot 119, $5/7,000) also will be featured.

Other highlights in the sale include a mid-19 th century Konya from Central Anatolia (lot 112, $5/7,000), and another Konya from later in the century (lot 55, $3/4,000). An early 19 th century French Aubusson rug (lot 89, $3/5,000), a 19 th century Greek Island embroidery sampler (lot 103, $1,5/2,000), and a Thracian prayer Kelim (lot 116, $1,2/1,500) lead the European offerings.

Previews and Catalogue Information
Previews for the auction will be held Thursday, October 6 th from 2 to 5 p.m. , Friday, October 7 th from 2 to 7 p.m. , and Saturday, October 8 th from 9 to 11 a.m. Illustrated catalog #2304 is available by mail for $16 ($18 for overseas requests) from the Subscription Department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $14. Prices realized at the auction will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale.  For more information, visit Skinner's website at www.skinnerinc.com.  Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.

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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England . With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton , Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site www.skinnerinc.com.