For me, the textiles were the most interesting things to see at the markets in Turkey. Most of the things displayed out front in the stalls were newer things and not particularly interesting (there was a huge section of fake handbags for example) and I was looking for something a little more special, though I didn't know exactly what.
It took a half hour conversation with a friendly carpet seller to make it back to his stacks of beautiful antique hand-embroidered textiles where I found the suzani. It's a bit tattered and imperfect but it is embroidered with thousands of little hand stitches and I can't imagine the time that went into making it.
Here are a few of my favorite things that I brought back from the bazaars: an antique hand-embroidered suzani of unknown origin, pillows made from old kilim rug remnants, an antique woven rug, and a linen hammam towel, woven on a hand loom in Southern Turkey.
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18 comments:
wow, these are so beautiful! I especially love the suzani (? have never seen this word before), the contrast and colours... great things you got back from there! It must feel special to dry yourself with a hammam towel like this :)
Thanks for sharing these... My faves are the suzano and the linen towel... You look like you have a lovely home...
Love it all! Especially the suzani! BTW your home is beautiful, just as I imagined! xo
love them all!
Gorgeous stuff! I've been enamored with Turkish textiles for a few years now and Istanbul is a travel goal of mine. Thanks for sharing! Love your headboard too :)
Really beautiful things. Love your blog, many inspiring images.
I second what Marichelle said....gorgeous and the perfect things to bring home. Curious about the towel...are you using it as a towel or as a throw...wondering if it works well in the bath? I have been wanting to get some.... :)
xo
Melis
i'm so curious as to why the antique items are in the back of the store and only accessible after some chatting... are the items too special for public viewing?
wowza. so many pretties.
wow, i am green with textile envy. what treasures you brought home with you. and they seem to fit quite well into your home - lovely.
Nicole- Perhaps they tend to reserve them for dealers/buyers that are planning to resell them? I'm not certain.
Melis- I'm using the linen one as a throw. I also bought some cotton hammam towels for kitchen towels and bathroom hand towels.
I've been a lurker 'round your blog for a while, never commenting until now. I love your photos of markets from your trip, and particularly love the pieces you brought home with you. Lovely.
So beautiful Jennifer, treasures...
These are really great. I absolutely love the rustic native american prints!
spandexsummer.blogspot.com
Such beautiful things, so rich in color! I'm sure you're enjoying them. Istanbul is most certainly on my list.
Oh these are beautiful....I love the colours and the patterns...
Beautiful. I want to go to Turkey!
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