Dr Erika Pohl-Ströher (18 January 1919 - 18 December 2016)

In the upcoming Sotheby’s auction , Arts of the Islamic world on first of May ,one of the names for the provenance of some great carpets is Dr Erika Pohl-Ströher (18 January 1919 - 18 December 2016) who was a German business executive, heiress, and collector of miniature and German folk art. She was resident in Switzerland for much of her life.

Pohl-Stroher was born on 18 January 1919 in Wurzen in Saxony, East Germany and grew up in Rothenkirchen in Vogtland.

She studied chemistry and biology at the University of Jena and received a doctorate in biology.She died on 18 December 2016 at the age of 97.

Pohl-Stroher's grandparents, Franz and Marie Stroeher, founded the hair care and cosmetics company Wella AG in the 19th century. When Procter & Gamble bought the company for more than $4 billion in 2003, Pohl-Stroher received around $1.1 billion for her 23% stake.Her net worth was estimated by Forbes magazine to be USD 1.3 billion making her the 101st wealthiest person in Germany at the time of her death....She had a great taste in collecting many arts including carpets ...lot 287: An Oushak 'small medallion' double-niche Rug, West Anatolia
12,000 — 18,000 GBP...