Session One of the Selections from the John Adair Jr. Collection marks the opening of a five-part auction series devoted to one of the most extensive single-owner collections of Caucasian rugs to reach the market. The first sale will take place at Soulis Auctions – Fine Art and Antiques in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, 7 December 2025, beginning at 1 pm Central Time. Across all five sessions, the auctions will present a broad spectrum of fine antique Caucasian weavings together with selections of Adair’s post-war modern graphics.
The online catalogue for the first session 14 December 2025 has been published at Liveauctioneers.com and include 70 carpets lots starting from lot 64 in the auction catalogue.
Examples of Caucasian rugs on sale
Lot 0098 – A FINE MID 19TH CENTURY MARASALI PRAYER RUG – Measures 59 x 47 inches; 4ft.11.x 3ft.11 inches 150 x 120cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $5,000-$7,000
Lot 0123 – FACHRALO KAZAK PRAYER RUG, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 19TH C. – Measures approximately 65 x 48 inches; 5ft.5 inches x 4ft; 165 x 122cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $1,800-$2,400KAZAK THREE MEDALLION PRAYER RUG DATED AH1261 – Measures approximately 59 x 40 inches; 4ft.11 inches x 3ft.4in; 150 x 102cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $1,800-$2,500A FINE KARABAKH CHONDZORESK RUG CIRCA 1880 – Measures approximately 82 x 58 inches; 6ft.10in x 4ft.10in; 208 x 148cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,000-$3,000Lot 0074 – A LATE 19TH CENTURY SHIRVAN PRAYER RUG – Measures approximately 75.5 x 35 inches; 6ft.4 inches x 2ft.11in; 192 x 89cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,000-$3,000AN AKSTAFA LONG RUG, LAST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY – Measures approximately 105 inches x 45in; 8ft.9 inches x 3ft.9in; 267 x 115cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,000-$3,000Lot 0104 – FINE DAGHESTAN PRAYER RUG, THIRD QUARTER 19TH C. – Measures 63 x 32 inches; 5ft.3 inches x 2ft.8in; 160 x 81cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,000-$3,000RARE MOGHAN PRAYER RUG, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 19TH C. – Measures approximately 63 x 36 inches; 5ft.3 inches x 3ft; 160 x 92cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,500-$3,000Lot 0124 – A FINE GONAKHEND RUG, LAST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY – Measures approximately 51 x 38 inches; 4ft.6 inches x 3ft.2in; 130 x 97cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,000-$3,000Lot 0120 – A FINE LATE 19TH CENTURY AKSTAFA PRAYER RUG – Measures approximately 71 x 35 inches; 5ft.11 inches x 2ft.11in; 181 x 89cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,400-$3,400Lot 0093 – A FINE KARACHOPH KAZAK RUG, LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY – Measures approximately 78 x 55 inches; 6ft.6 inches x 4ft.7in; 198 x 140cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,500-$3,500A RARE GENDJE PRAYER RUG DATED AH 1278/1861 AD – Measures approximately 66 x 43.25ins; 5ft.6 inches. x 3ft.7in; 168 x 110cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $2,500-$3,500Lot 0071 – A BORDJALOU KAZAK RUG DATED AH1220/1805AD – Measures approximately 73.5 x 60 inches; 6ft.1.5 inches x 5ft; 187 x 153cm. Provenance: The Estate Collection of John Adair Jr. Estimate $3,000-$4,000
John Adair assembled more than 300 rugs representing the full range of Caucasian weaving traditions. The collection includes Marasali, Akstafa, Shirvan, Kuba and Kazak types, many dating from the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century, some with woven date inscriptions. His interest in prayer rugs is especially visible, with numerous varied and unusual examples. He sourced pieces internationally from respected auctioneers and dealers including Grogan, Henry’s, the Austria Auction Company, Rippon Boswell, Claremont and Peter Pap, consistently choosing rugs with strong condition, colour and design.
The beginnings of his passion remain uncertain. It may have started during his extensive travels after graduating from Kenyon College in 1964, particularly the long periods he spent hitchhiking through India along traditional rug trade routes. Later, while living in Japan for three decades, he operated the Tokyo antique shop Kurofune, which became widely known and featured in major publications. This period strengthened his connections to the global rug and art world.
According to Jonathan Wadsworth, specialist for the sale and former head of Sotheby’s carpet department in London, the collection is a rare and comprehensive representation of Caucasian weaving assembled with clear discernment and enthusiasm. All five sessions will also include works from Adair’s substantial post-war modern art holdings.
More information and location: Soulis Auctions – Fine Art and Antiques, Kansas City, Missouri, Lone Jack – 529 W. Lone Jack-Lee’s Summit Rd. Contact: Dirk@SoulisAuctions.com
