For those of us who live in Istanbul, one of the highlights of the year is the DOBAG rug sale which always coincides with the Christmas Bazaar at the Alman Lisesi round the corner. Yesterday I was asked if I could put a reminder on my blog about it and as we are keen supporters of this project, I of course said yes!
DOBAG is a Turkish acronym for the Natural Dye Research and Development Project.
These carpets are the result of an idea initiated some 30 years ago by Dr Harald Böhmer, a chemistry teacher at Marmara University at that time. The aim was ‘to preserve and facilitate the production of traditional Turkish carpets within the context of Turkish village life’ and he succeeded admirably. Only natural dyes are used and the resultant colours glow like jewels. The carpets are renowned for their glorious blues, reds, and greens; the pile is thick and luxurious.
They are woven in villages surrounding two centres, Ayvacık and Manisa. We are very familiar with the Ayvacık centre as it is close to Assos where we go in the summer. We know the people and I have visited the villages to see where the looms are located and met some of the women who do the weaving. We always attend this sale and invariably end up buying one or two. Last year we actually bought five so perhaps we should keep away this year!
WHEN: Saturday 1st December from 9.30 – 16.30 and Sunday 2nd from 12.00 – 16.00.
i am jumping on a plane right now!
I truly wish we could be there! We bought 2 gorgeous rugs in Kusadasi on our honeymoon. I could easily live with one in every room of the house! They are true works of art!
Have a lovely weekend.
I love Turkish Carpets.Have one mini one(all I can afford:)
p.s. There is a nice Giveaway on my blog till 23rd November.Everyone is welcome;)
What a nice experience that would be!!Kisses,dear!
Sigh! Would love to be in Istanbul for this. We've owned a Turkish carpet since we bought our house and would love more but I'd like to buy them from places like this.
You would all love it!