Q I find Turkish rugs appealing, but I'd like to know more before I start collecting.
WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS
'A beautiful carpet is like a fine painting,' says Cihangir Orman, director of Mega Carpet Galeria. 'It pleases the eye. It's also an investment that will retain its value as the years pass.'
Orman, who sources rare and antique carpets from Iran, Russia, Morocco and India, says sheep's wool rugs were used to construct and decorate tents. The Turks played a seminal role in carpet production and distribution.
'According to historians, Afanasyevo carpet culture first emerged in a region of the same name in Altay [now central Russia],' Orman says.
'The people who lived there are said to have been the Turkish Huns. Being nomads, they needed to be mobile, and carried their tents and decorative carpets with them.'