christiesunmasked

News Release / Christie's Unmasked

Release Date: December 11, 2010

Contact: P. Allman

[email protected]

Uzbek Persian Rug Owner Challenges Christie's in Exposé

Otabek Teshabekov, a businessman from Uzbekistan, became disgruntled after his dealings with representatives of Christie's Auction House as he sought appraisals for his 19th century Persian rug. He felt he wasn't being dealt with in good faith, and he ultimately felt compelled to write his story as an exposé of the international company's and the industry's practices. He is now taking his story public, speaking with media, joining others similarly affected, and announcing the upcoming release of "Christie's Unmasked."

After the limited edition, advance release of the novel, "Christie's Unmasked," in Europe, Teshabekov experienced attempts on his life in London and in his country.

Teshabekov began his odyssey initially when he sent photos of the valuable Persian rug to Christies, where he was told the rug was worth $150,000-$200,000. But after taking it to the London, England office in person, he was told something disturbingly different: the rug was Turkish Koum Kapi, not Persian Tabriz and worth around $13,000. Moreover, this opinion was changed and same carpet was called as Kysen. Carpets Kysen never existed.

After his belief and disappointment that he was being taken advantage of, he began a trek that took him to three continents, world-class museums and several antiquarian appraisers, including one in the USA. Teshabekov visited Atlanta, Georgia, where he met with well-known appraiser Allan Baitcher who valued the rug at about $350,000.

An initially disenchanted Teshabekov had new hope. He had discovered that his Persian rug was an antique Tabriz based on a Safavid design, so he decided to return to London to talk with advisers at Christie's, but the auction house refuted the appraisals.

Teshabekov is described by others as determined, committed and strong willed. Throughout his book, he references his personal convictions, faith and cites religious passages that show his honor-bound sense of fair play.

It's such an engrossing tale from real life that there is now interest in turning the detective-type novel into a movie because of the story's elements of scandal, romance and foreign intrigue.

Teshabekov is currently traveling not only to tell his story, but also to inform patrons what to look for when collecting antique rugs or doing business with auction h