ABOUT THE STORE

Steven Rosenthal, the owner of The Kilim Company, is a Yale PhD and a professor of Middle Eastern History at the University of Hartford. While an undergraduate at Yale, he was drawn to the history and culture of the Middle East and after graduation volunteered for Peace Corps service in Turkey. There he became fascinated with the textiles of the Middle East: the lush pile carpets, the colorful and aesthetically complex flatweave kilims and the rich variety of woven tribal artifacts. When he returned to Turkey to research his doctoral dissertation, he combined formal archival work with endless hours learning about rugs in the bazaars and back streets of Istanbul. He traveled all over Turkey, expanding his knowledge and seeking out special and unusual textiles.

In 1979 he opened The Kilim Company in New Haven to share his collection and his enthusiasm. In the ensuing years The Kilim Company has developed a reputation for high quality oriental pile carpets, and for an unparalleled collection of antique, old and new Turkish flatweave kilims. Clients have included world famous architectural firms, and well known designers. Many within the Yale and New Haven communities started out as customers and have become friends.

I take great pride in my approach to both the product and the customer. I personally select every piece in the store and have the national and international contacts to find whatever size and type of rug a client desires. I can assure all clients the highest level of individualized attention. The store is open only
part-time: the exact hours change each semester depending on my teaching schedule. I am always open Friday and Saturday afternoons as well as by appointment. While I apologize for any inconvenience, my part-time operation reduces expenses and results in much lower prices than most people expect.