53rd Wiesbaden Auction, 23rd September 2000
Mahal Carpet Fetches Top Price
At the 53rd Wiesbaden auction (no catalogue), lot 162, an oversized white-ground Mahal measuring 531 x 418 cms, caused a small sensation. Estimated conservatively at DM 8,000, the rug climbed, at tremendous speed, ever higher from its calling price of DM 6,000; eventually it was knocked down for DM 120,000, or twenty times the limit. Dealers from all over the world had made the trip to Wiesbaden especially for this piece, and the many telephone bidders did not stand a chance against the floor.
The other large-format carpets also surpassed expectations. A Heriz (lot 127) went up from DM 2,500 to DM 10,500,
and a large Bakhshaish (lot 173) climbed from DM 7,000 to DM 13,500.