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Originally from Istanbul, Mahmut Balkir has spent his entire life surrounded by fine antique rugs, carpets, and kilims. At the young age of twelve, he began assisting his father in the family rug business. This business spans three generations, having been founded by Mahmut’s grandfather in the late 1930s. Happily the business continues to be run by the Balkir family in Istanbul to this day.
Although the Balkirs have been in the business of selling rugs for almost a century, their history with the world of fine rugs and carpets extends far beyond this. Generations of Mahmut’s family on both his father and his mother’s side were skilled rugmakers and were making rugs during the time of the Ottoman Empire as far back as the family tree can be traced.
At the age of 20 Mahmut left Turkey and came to Dublin. His father’s business supplied several established rug shops in Dublin at the time, one such establishment being ‘Empires’ in the Westbury Mall. Upon his arrival in Dublin Mahmut worked at Empires and in 2000 he went into partnership with the then owners Bill McNair and Jayne Baird. The business was moved to Francis Street in 2006. Mahmut took over the business and took on the Oriental Rug Co. name, giving new life to an old brand established in 1985.
This collection of fine rugs and carpets has been carefully curated by Mahmut Balkir himself. Many of the pieces have been in his collection for decades. Like all the rug he sells, every piece is handmade – the wool and silk hand spun and hand knotted.
This sale is an expression of Mahmut’s vast knowledge and experience and offers both established collectors and newer buyers the opportunity to acquire very special and fine examples. As an artform, the designs are directly influenced by the different regions and periods in which they were made. It is fascinating to see rare examples of Antique Baluch carpets from Afghanistan, alongside DOBAG rugs from Turkey as well as tribal salt bags from Persia.
For a grander and more formal setting the sale presents some spectacular large-scale wool and silk carpets. There is also an extensive range of flatwoven kilims, rugs and runners of varied colour palettes and sizes which present a great opportunity to acquire a beautifully crafted addition to ones’ home.
Each rug holds a fascinating history that expresses the distinct styles and cultures of the regions in which they are made and of the skilled craftspeople that have created them. As furnishings for people’s homes, the rugs offered warmth and colour while also incorporating symbols and emblems in their designs associated with blessings offered for protection of the household.
We hope you enjoy The Curated Collection of Mahmut Balkir.
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Buying at Auction and the Role of Antiques in a Modern Home
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Yvonne Aupicq had met Orpen, we understand, while working as a nurse during the war. He had been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of scabies which ended up being a far more serious case of blood poisoning as he recounts in his wartime memoir ‘An Onlooker in France’. Their relationship continued after 1918 when Orpen was appointed as the official artist to The Paris Peace Conference. They relocated to capital and over the following decade he painted her numerous times, often nude as in Amiens 1914, or The Rape and Nude Girl Reading (1921). Working with her as his model during these early years after the war allowed Orpen an opportunity to re-fuel his creativity.
Editor-in-Chief of IMAGE Publications, Lizzie Gore-Grimes, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction on September 13th features a prime example of Van Cleef & Arpel's renowned 'Mystery Setting'
Our June auction offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the great masterpieces of Irish art and icons of Dublin’s history.
Georgia Chiesa selects some of her favourite lots in the upcoming Vintage Wine & Spirits Auction
"Beating the bounds is a tradition that can be traced back to the medieval period. At this time, land was divided into parishes and the clergy and church wardens held the responsibility for its upkeep and management. It was up to the Church to ensure that its parishioners knew the local boundary lines and, before maps became commonplace, this had to be kept as a mental record."
Adam’s in conjunction with Suzanne MacDougald are proud to host an online timed auction of artworks to aid the Irish Red Cross’s humanitarian work in delivering vital services to millions of people impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. With no buyers premium 100% of the hammer price will go directly to the Irish Red Cross.
Ros Drinkwater writes of Jack B Yeats' 'The Boat' in the Business Post:
With a consolidated result of €320,000,the At Home sale in Stephan’s Green, was a great success.
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
