OAKLAND, CA.- Highlighted by a world record-price for an Oriental carpet sold at auction and the remarkable interest in rug-based interior design projects, the year 2010 has pushed the level of interest in art-level Oriental rugs to unprecedented heights. So says Jan David Winitz, president and founder of Claremont Rug Company, internationally acknowledged gallery specializing in art-level, 19th century Oriental carpets. In January, Winitz predicted that 2010 would be “The Year of the Rug” and events throughout the year have more than confirmed his declaration. As proof he points to: • The $9.5 million paid for a historic Oriental rug at Sotheby’s auction in London, double the previous record. • The unprecedented response at his Gallery of a 185-piece private collection of 19th century art level pieces which “sold out” out at a recor