Dedham, MA - On Sunday, January 20th, Grogan and Company Fine Art Auctioneers will conduct an important auction of over 300 fine Oriental Rugs and Carpets from several prominent collections, including examples from noted author and rug expert James Opie.  The exhibition will begin on Monday, January 14th and run through January 20th at 12:00 noon, when the auction will begin.  The week long exhibition culminates in a Gallery Talk with guest speaker James Opie on Saturday, January 19th at 4:00 p.m..  This event, as well as the exhibition, is free and open to the public. 

A magnificent example from the sixty rugs to be offered from the Opie Collection is a large Kampsheh Carpet, woven in the early 20th century in South Persia.  The 15 foot 5 inch x 7 foot 9 inch carpet depicts thousands of birds parading across a midnight blue field and is expected to fetch $20,000-30,000.  Opie, a noted rug scholar, collector and dealer from Portland, Oregon, is author of two legendary books, Tribal Rugs; A Complete Guide to Nomadic and Village Rugs (1998), and Tribal Rugs of Southern Persia (1982), both of which, continue to be primary resources for Rug connoisseurs. 

Another highlight is a mid 19th century Chinese Peking Rug from the collection of Aram Jerrehian, scion of the Philadelphia rug emporium bearing his family's name. The 8 foot 7 inch x 6 foot 2 inch rug features lively dragons surrounded by a wave border and bears a pre sale estimate of $10,000-15,000.  A Rare 19th century Chinese RKO Rug from a London collector, estimated at $10,000-20,000, will also be featured in the sale, along with 30 Turkman weavings from the Eric Risman collection. 

Auctioneer Michael Grogan, known for his keen knowledge of Oriental Rugs, ran the Sotheby's New York Rug department from 1978-1984, before establishing his own auction firm in 1988 in Boston, Massachusetts.  In anticipation of the January sale, Grogan has assembled a selection of over 300 fine carpets from prominent collections around the globe.  "I have been pleased with the global response to the sale announcement this fall," commented Grogan, the President of Grogan and Company, "rugs have been coming in not only from US collections, but also from collector's in the United Kingdom, Europe and Canada."  Grogan's discovery last year of a rare Turkoman Salor Ensi in a West Hampton, New York house created an international stir when he auctioned it in May of 2011for $240,000. "I enjoy the worldwide interest our Rug auctions generate," noted Grogan,"this is our largest and most varied Rug auction to date. Clients looking for decorative floor Carpets or rare collector pieces will have plenty to choose from."  

For more information and to view a fully illustrated catalogue of the auction visit www.groganco.com or call 781-461-9500.