It was established in 1884 as Rippon, Son & Co., Auctioneers & Estate Agents based in the city of Exeter, in the county of Devon, South West England.
The company claims to be today's (2006) world-leading specialist Auctioneers and Consultants of rare & antique Oriental carpets & textiles.
The Rippon Boswell Group, encompassing Bickenstaff & Knowles and Oriental Carpet Brokers Ltd. as well as the parent company, covers a broad spectrum of the global consumer market for Oriental rugs, carpets and textiles.