NEW YORK -- June 5 at Sotheby's New York was an historic night for the art of fine carpets. The  auction of Important Carpets from the William A. Clark Collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art shattered two records for the sale of antique carpets.

The $33,765,000 sale for the Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet, an early 17th Century masterpiece, was the highest price ever paid for a carpet. The auction's total sales of $43,764,750 made it the most successful carpet auction ever held.

To see Sotheby's video of the auction, click here

The auction's total results were over four times the pre-sale high estimate of $9.6 million, according to Sotheby's. The sale of 25 carpets was 100% sold, achieving "White Glove" status, and every single lot achieved a price above its pre-sale high estimate.

Proceeds of the sale will benefit future acquisitions of The Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Star of the the show was the Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet, which sold for nerly $33.8 million. Pre-auction estimates of the sale price were $5 to $7 million. Four bidders fought over 10 minutes for the piece.

"Selling the Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet for more than three times the previous auction record for a carpet has unquestionably been the highlight of my 30-year career," said Mary Jo Otsea, senior consultant, Rugs & Carpets at Sotheby's.

"It is gratifying to see the strength of the market for carpets of this quality and rarity. As an auctioneer fielding multiple bids per lot from a global audience of private collectors, institutions and dealers, the experience was thrilling."

06.06.13