Biography
Jacqueline Coulter joined Sotheby’s in 1985 and was made head of the Carpet department in 1988. She is responsible for the valuation and sale of all carpets and Islamic textiles in Europe, and also works closely with her New York colleague Mary Jo Otsea on joint projects for our international clientele; between them they offer our clients more than 60 yearsof unparalleled experience.
Ms. Coulter has been responsible for identifying and successfully selling several important Islamic textiles and rugs, including the current world record holder for an Islamic textile at auction— a Safavid voided silk velvet, metal thread strip and bouclé figural panel, Persia, early 17th century, unearthed in Paris and which sold for $3,442,500 in March 2009 in Doha. Previously, she discovered in Germany an important Safavid voided silk velvet, metal thread strip and bouclé figural velvet panel, North Persia, possibly Qazvin, last third 16th century which sold for £793,500 in October 1998, London, then also a world record for an Islamic textile. Both of these key works are now in the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar.
More recently, she identified a previously unknown Safavid silk and metal-thread prayer rug, Isphahan, Central Persia, late 16th or early 17th century; found in Germany, it went on to sell for £2,729,250 in October 2009 in London. The following year, the well-known “Karlsruhe” Safavid niche rug, Central Persia, second half 16th century, achieved £1,161,250 in October 2010, London. Working closely as part of the international team, she also participated in the sale of Important Carpets from the William A. Clark Collection, Corcoran Gallery of Art, that took place in June 2013 in New York.
Ms. Coulter was educated in the United Kingdom and the United States and holds a first class Master of Fine Arts. She now acts as Sotheby’s senior specialist consultant for Rugs & Carpets sales held in London.
