OAKLAND, CA.- Claremont Rug Company, which specializes in art-level antique Oriental rugs woven during the Second Golden Age of Persian Weaving (ca 1800 to ca 1910), has enhanced its online presence as it continues to serve its clients who reside on six continents. Prior to temporarily closing its physical gallery as part of the Shelter in Place effort to combat COVID-19, Claremont founder/president Jan David Winitz noted that more than 60 percent of transactions involved the internet.

“Even as our four-showroom Gallery is temporarily shuttered, we have redoubled our commitment to be available for calls and emails and to ship rugs on approval, directing clients to our website gallery that shows over 1000 rugs from our much wider inventory,” he said.

Additionally, for the first time in more than three decades, Claremont is offering a price incentive of 20 percent on all of its rugs and free shipping within the U.S.A. Claremont, which Winitz opened in 1980, also has extended the hours of staff availability during this period via telephone and email to Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (PDT). The Gallery is also responding to emails and voicemails on Sunday.

Winitz expressed gratitude for the great support we have received for this online event, which he termed “much greater than I could have imagined.”

During this period when so many of its clients are safely at home, Claremont plans to share many new rug acquisitions and to email illustrated material from lectures and articles that Winitz has contributed to. Topics include the emotive power of balanced color in the best antique rugs, how weavers used uplifting ancient symbolism in their carpets and ”the inspiring role of harmonious art in our lives.”

Winitz said that client response to the first two installations of his article, 'Knowing Your Art Deeply & The Fruits That It Yields' has been “enthusiastic and wholly gratifying.” One client wrote, in part, “I related to Mr. Winitz's passion for art and its transcendent powers and was so engrossed with what I was reading that the worries of the times vanished and were replaced with a welcomed tranquility. His essay is a gift and a balm; I look forward to the third segment and reading more shared insights and life-gleaned wisdom from the author.”

Another added, "I am very enthusiastic about this beautifully written series by Mr. Winitz. Every day, I am inspired by the rugs I am fortunate to possess and awed by the complex human skills and animal and natural elements that went into their making.”

Winitz said, “We are continuing to make advantageous purchases of a seldom-found caliber of 19th century and turn of the 20th century Persian and tribal carpets to keep our selection fresh and unparalleled. For instance, we have just acquired a small but significant 35-piece collection to supplement the Claremont trove.” The Gallery has over 2500 “Second Golden Age” pieces in inventory.

One of the more evocative emails from a long-time client included these thoughts: "It reminded me of a wonderful afternoon a few years ago in the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. I am forwarding it to several people.... Thanks again for all you do to promote this art form and in allowing me to enjoy it daily in my own home."

Expressing deep gratitude for “the support clientele is giving us during this unprecedented period,” Winitz reflected, “In periods of challenge, art-level antique Oriental rugs greatly elevate our spirits and encourage thoughts of resilience and renewal.”

Claremont can be reached at info@claremontrug.com or by calling 1-800-441-1332. Claremont’s online gallery, http://www.claremontrug.com, provides an abundance of educational articles and videos.



Late 19th century Caucasian Kazak Cloudbank (5-4x8)