About
Mr. Benardout is one of the most important collectable rug dealers of the twentieth century. Not only for the rugs he sold but for the information he shared and the dealers and collectors he influenced. By the time the boom in collectable rug interest hit in the late 1960s, Benardout was already among the “old” established London dealer/experts. In 1973 when he opened his shop on William Street in the Knightsbridge section of London it quickly became a key meeting place for the best and the brightest of the London collecting scene. The shop was filled with great rugs and the personalities that so influenced the last thirty years of collecting. One of the old timers told me that you could stop in everyday and see or learn something new and that you never knew who might be their visiting.
Inspired not to be like some of the people he worked with and for on his way up Benardout made it a point to share what he knew. This sharing which has resulted in many shows and 6 books has been highly influential. He has been called upon by the Times of London for his expertise as well Arts of Asia Magazine and many others. Benardout served as Islamic Course Lecturer at the V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum considered by many to be the top Carpet museum in the World.
Professional Distinctions:
Professional British Antique Dealers Association Member 1966-2006
Distinctions: British Antique Dealers Association Senior Appraiser 1975-1995
HM Customs & Excise – Southern Region Appraiser & Advisor 1984-1995
Prime Minister of United Kingdom The Rt. Hon John Major Appraiser 1991
Art Loss & Burglary Department Los Angeles Police Advisor 1998
Chairman, Vetting Committee - Olympia Antique Fair 1988-1995
Chairman, Vetting Committee Penman Antique Fairs 1985-1995
Chairman, Vetting Committee - Cultural Exhibitions Ltd 1975-1995
Leading Law Firms in UK Expert Witness 1974-1994
Leading Insurance Companies & Adjustors in UK Expert Witness 1974-1994
Featured in Debrett’s “People of Today” UK 1985-2001
Featured in “Who’s Who in Western Europe” 1981-
Featured in Guide Millault - London’s Finest Retail Establishments 1985-94
Chairman Vetting Committee - Beverly Hills Antique Fair 1999
National Appraiser for Eppraisals.com 1999-2001
National Appraiser for Eppraisals 1999-2001
National Appraiser for What’s it Worth to You 2001-2002
Candidate Member of the American Society of Appraisers 2003-2006
Exhibitions:
Turkoman and Beluch, London 1974
Turkish Rugs, London 1975
Tribal Rugs, London 1976
Nomadic Rugs, London 1977
Caucasian Rugs, London 1978
Small Pieces, London 1978
Collectable Pieces, London 1979
Antique Rugs, London 1983
Exceptional Kelims, London 1985
Collectable Flatweaves, London 1987
Woven Stars, ACOR #3, Los Angeles 1996
Antique Rugs, Craft & Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles 1996
Rare Rugs, Los Angeles Fine Art Gallery, Los Angeles 1996
Turkoman & Beluch Weavings, Los Angeles 2002
International Shows:
Baden-Baden International Fair, Germany 1975, UK Representative
Bristol City Museum, England 1978, National Representative
Somerset House Antiques Fair, London 1980, National Representative
Brussels International Fair, Belgium 1991, British Pavilion,
Grosvenor House Antiques Fair, London, 1993, National Representative
Olympia Antiques Fair, London, 1994, National Representative
Special Events:
American Conference of Oriental Carpets 3, National Event
Exhibition Curator of “Woven Stars,” Los Angeles 1996
Craft and Folk Art Museum Exhibition, Curator, Los Angeles 1996
Los Angeles Fine Art Gallery Exhibition ,Curator, Los Angeles 1996
Lectures:
University of Reading Berkshire, Guest Speaker to full Faculty 1978
Victoria & Albert Museum Lecturer Islamic Course, London 1993
Royal Society of Antiquities at the Royal Academy, London 1992
Royal College of Physicians, London 1986
Oriental Rug Society of United Kingdom, 1976-1984-1988-1995
Westminster Fine Art Society, 1979
North London Fine Art Society, 1977
Buckingham Fine Art Society, 1993
American Fine Art Society, London 1988&1992
Textile Museum Associates of Southern California, 1995
Curator’s presentation ACOR3, 1996
Toronto Rug Society, Canada 1996
UCLA Extension course, Los Angeles 2002