You are right, we are buying them for the cat to hack up hairballs on . . .
15% buyers premium + tax. The estimates are usually close but as with all auctions, some buyers get carried away. Overall the carpet estimates seemed low - which probably reflects the market weakness you speak of although a couple of the Tabriz Nachsheh carpets are $5K -$6K.
Thanks guys.
Empire Auction is the site.
Ian