Rugs from Istanbul

Many Turkish rugs come from Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the fifth biggest city in the world, population 13.2 million. It is the economic and cultural epicenter of the country, and has in the past been called Byzantium and Constantinople, as the capital of the Byzantine and Roman empires.

Because of its colorful history, Istanbul is a rich place for the arts, as well as rugs and carpets. That is, including rugs and carpets. Istanbul Modern, an art museum, features exhibitions of famous Turksih and foreign artists, and other museums have hosted various exhibitions of some of the world’s most famous artists. Fairs and festivals are common, and new events are added every year.

The city also boasts lots of festivals, concerts, and events, especially outdoors during the summer. The streets teem with jazz and opera, and the nightlife is rated among Europe’s best. Alcohol is served as creation, not just a means to an end, and the culinary secrets of those bustling streets are deep. The culture is an interesting mix of east and west, of old and new, of ancient tradition and cutting-edge innovation. Students snap shots with their iPhones as old imams cross the stress. Women can be seen in everything from hot nightlife clothes to nun’s outfits to full burka. There is a fascinating clash of conservative and liberal, orthodox and progressive. The permutations that can be observed in every facet of life here are endless.

Truly, it is a glamorous home for the creation of art, and many of not only the antique rugs, but also the new rugs coming out of Istanbul are exquisite. The incorporation of styles from China and Iran, the Middle East and the Stans, leads to some of the most conceptually complex and visually stunning work in the medium.