best rug dealer
 

My husband and I will be staying in Istanbul in early October. We are interested in purchasing a Turkish rug and having it shipped back to the States. Where should we go and who should we buy from (names, please). Also, should we be able to get a good buy (I know there are many types so if you could suggest the types, dealers, etc. that would be ever so helpful!).

If there was only one thing we should do and see, what would that be??? Also, where should we eat if we want to dine at a very special Turkish restaurant???

Thanks for the info!!!

DixieDee

Don't have an answer for you with respect to rug shops....but you might get a better response on the Europe board. Most of the discussions on Turkey occur there!

Have a great trip!

Hi Dixiedee,
If you are going to Cappadocia The Rose Carpet Shop was a reputable place to buy rugs. We were so please with the whole process that I kept their card, even though we were there several years ago. I hope they are still in business.

We bought three rugs, one wool, one cotton, one small silk prayer rug. We were just starting on our trip and didn't want to carry them. They said "no problem", we'll deliver them to Istanbul. We thought well maybe.

We had the hotel call and next day one of their employees delivered them in one small case. He had rode all night on a bus to get them to us. He wouldn't accept a tip either.

This is the number I have for them. Maybe they can reccommend someone in Instanbul. There were so many seller there, we just couldn't decide. (384) 2712272 fax:2712551

They take a picture with you and the rugs you have selected, so you know you've gotten the right ones. Sooo many choices.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!! This is wonderful information...we are so excited about our trip and will probably have a difficult time making a decision with all of the beautiful rugs we will see!!

Two of ours are on the floor and the small silk one is on the wall. It's as beautiful as a picture. They have been well used. Infact, the more they are used, the more beautiful they become. We didn't buy real old ones, they are more expensive. Ours are new, figured they would grow old with us.

Now we wished we had purchased some larger ones, ours are just 3x 5 and 4 x 6. They were reasonable several years ago and great momentos of our trip there. The selection is incredible. You'll have fun looking at the selection. Oh, how I wish I could go back to the Spice Market. We purchased several hand painted pottery pieces for ourselves and as gifts. Each one is unique. We hand carried the pottery back, nothing got broken.

You might want to do some research on the DOBAG project -- an initiative that has been underway now for 20+ years and strives to re-introduce the ethic of certifiable, high-quality, village-based rug making using local natural wools and vegetable-based dyes. I bought a couple of DOBAG rugs from an exhibition at the World Bank here in DC back about 1985 or so. They are beautiful and have aged marvelously. Here's an initial google link to a Rough Guide extract on these rugs to get you started:

http://books.google.com/books?id=TbC...IQMrN2lz6KechA

If you venture out anywhere near the villages of Ayvacik or Yuntdag, where this project is based, you should seek these out.

I visited the DOBAG shop near Assos two years ago and I agree that it is a worthwhile experience, although their selection was somewhat limited. If you post this on the Europe board you will likely get more answers regarding Turkey. I can give you a few names in Istanbul for high-quality carpets...let me know if you want me to look at my notes..

Thank you for the information...I would love the names of any dealers you all would recommend. I will also check out the website regarding DOBAG project. This all sounds very interesting. I am in hopes of bringing home at least one medium size (8X12) rug to have in our new home. Again, thanks to all for the great info!

I was very impressed by the quality at:

Mehmet Cetinkaya Gallery
www.cetinkayagallery.com

These are collector's items and prices are not cheap.

For less expensive "decorator" rugs, you will find a good selection at Asia Minor near the Four Seasons Hotel.

Another dealer who gets good recommendations is Sisko Osman in the Grand Bazaar. And take a look at the shops in the Arasta Bazaar as well. Make sure to have your measurements with you.

A friend who was there this past April recommends the following for rugs and other art:
http://www.cocoontr.com/

Everybody wrote something about rugs and forgot to answer your second question.

If you want to dine at a very special Turkish restaurant, you should go to Konyali Restaurant. (Either in Topkapi Palace if/when you visit there or in Kanyon Shopping Mall-I personally preser the second one as the one in Topkapi Palace may be quite crowded at times) You can browse through their website and even decide on a menu before you go.
http://www.konyalilokantasi.com/english/eindex.html

With all good wishes