A designer go-to for adding a touch of whimsy to a room, vintage turkish rugs are an essential for any design lover’s collection. Often one-of-a-kind, they’re also a valuable investment that can actually grow in value with age.
While you’re on the hunt for an antique rug, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Angela Belt, assistant shopping editor at House Beautiful and co-host of the Mood Board podcast, says that when hunting for vintage rugs, specific terms matter. For example, if you search “vintage rug,” the results are likely to be a lot of newer rugs that replicate design trends but don’t have the same authenticity and history as vintage pieces do.
Throughout the years, Turkey has become one of the world’s most significant weaving regions. From the bold flatwoven kilims to the intricately detailed hereke, it produces styles that reflect its own culture and traditions as well as those of its Eastern neighbors like Persia and the Caucasus.
A cradle for numerous Asian roving tribes, the region of Anatolia served as a meeting point of many different cultural influences that are reflected in these coveted antique Turkish rugs. Whether it’s a symbol-filled Anatolian animal carpet or a palatial medallion rug, these rugs boast sophisticated compositions that have an unmistakable vintage feel.
When sourcing vintage rugs, make sure they’re authentic by purchasing from reputable sellers. Kilim Studio, for instance, is run by a brother-sister team in Istanbul and ships direct from the source so you can get true vintage turkish rugs at an affordable price. Their rugs are also carefully cleaned and repaired before selling, as well as overdyed or distressed to create a more lived-in look. vintage turkish rugs