While it might have been necessity that began nese zinn’s journey as a purveyor of antique and semi-antique Turkish, Persian, Caucasian and Central Asian rugs and kilims, it was fate that gave her the inspiration and passion that has kept her on the path for so many years.
After a devastating car accident in 1979, Zinn found herself needing something that would allow her to stay home and help her husband. The answer, it seemed, was right in front of her. The Turkish native had moved to Charleston years before, decorating the walls of her home with antique rugs from her homeland that often caught the eyes of friends and visitors who inquired how to get similar pieces for themselves. Spurred on by those inquiries, Zinn decided to source a few rugs from Turkey and began selling them from her home. Zinn Rug Gallery was officially created in 1981, and so the passionate lover of travel, art and textiles became one of Charleston’s premier sources for antique handmade rugs from Turkey and its surrounding countries.
In 1997, Zinn welcomed her daughter, Lale, into the business, making it a family affair. As successful as they were, by 2016, they had made the decision to close the brick-and-mortar store and began offering sales by appointment only. Working from various locations where their rugs are stored according to size, they now consult with clients to determine which pieces will best suit their spaces. “We have the largest inventory of kilims and rugs on the East Coast, with over 3,500 pieces on hand,” says Zinn. “They are mostly semi-antique and antique, but we can get any new rugs woven in either India, Pakistan, China or Turkey, depending on what our clients are wanting.”
A low overhead equates to better prices that she can pass on to her clients, but even at a reduced price point, the quality that Zinn offers is unparallelled. “The whole inventory is hand-selected by me, one piece at a time,” she contends. “I’ve traveled to every country, walked every inch of these places and gone from door-to-door. I’ve been to the markets in Iran, in Russia, in places where I had to deal with some incredibly difficult conditions. It’s not always been easy as a woman.”
As challenging as it might have been, Zinn clearly rose to the occasion, building a reputation of excellence that has kept her in business for more than four decades. With good reason: What she offers is nothing short of art.
Liesel Schmidt lives in Navarre, Florida, and works as a freelance writer for local and regional magazines. She is also a web content writer and book editor. Follow her on X at @laswrites or download her novels, Coming Home to You, The Secret of Us and Life Without You, at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
