Australia
Oriental Rug Society of NSW
Oriental Rug Society of NSW (ORS) was founded by oriental rug enthusiasts and collectors in 1980. Their aims is to foster an interest in and appreciation of oriental rugs & related textiles through exhibitions, talks and seminars. The Oriental Rug Society of New South Wales was organizer of ICOC Down Under in September 2004.
Peter Bichler, TKF, gave a lecture “Fez & Kilim” for ORS March 18, 2025.
Contact information: Leigh Mackay, President, info@rugsociety.org.au. Pamela Leuzinger (ORS) is member of ICOC International Committee.
Link to Oriental Rug Society of NSW
Austria
TKF Austrian Society for Textile Art Research
TKF – Die Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Textil-Kunst-Forschung, founded in Vienna in 1982, is one of the world’s oldest organizations dedicated to textiles as an art form. Its mission is to deepen and share knowledge of textile art through international symposia, exhibitions, and publications. TKF collaborates with ICOC, museums, and universities, supporting both scholarly and public projects. It also serves as a bridge between private collectors and public institutions.
TKF, in collaboration with ICOC, has been organizer of several carpet related tours: Carpets and Collections of the Swiss Alpine Area 2024 in collaboration with FTT, ICOC Conference Tour Poland 2023, ICOC-Tour: Carpets and Collections of the Alpine Area 2019, and Vienna and Budapest Tour 2014.
Contact information: Peter Bichler, President and also Chair of ICOC International Committee, bichler.austria@pgv.at
Link to Die Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Textil-Kunst-Forschung (German language)
Denmark
Danish Rug Society
The Danish Rug Society (Selskabet for Orientalsk Tæppekunst), founded in 1985, promotes knowledge of oriental rugs through talks and hands-on events. Meetings, often held in Copenhagen, welcome both newcomers and seasoned collectors.
The society was co-founded by Else Krøjgaard and Hans Elmby, a specialist in Turkmen rugs, and has built lasting friendships among members. Today, Boris Wiinstedt Zeichner serves as chair, continuing the legacy of fostering appreciation for textile art.
The General Assembly of the Danish Rug Society has May 23, 2025 wanted to join ICOC as Associated Rug Club.
Contact information: Boris Wiinstedt Zeichner, Chair, boris@zeichner.dk, Ivan Soenderholm, member of the board and also member of ICOC International Committee, ivan@jozan.dk
Link to Danish Rug Society (English about page).
Germany
Carpet and Textile Culture Association (Teppich- und Textilkultur)
Textiles, including knotted carpets, are among humanity’s oldest cultural artifacts, with roots in Eurasia thousands of years ago. These crafts, once highly valued, have largely been forgotten in today’s fast-paced, globalized, and digitized world. Private collectors played a key role in preserving and studying antique carpets and textiles since the mid-19th century. The association Teppich- und Textilkultur aims to counter declining interest by building a network of collectors, experts, and institutions. Its mission includes supporting research, documentation, exhibitions, and educational events focused on textile heritage.
Contact information: Chair Dr. Werner Middendorf dr.middendorf@mail.de and Deputy Chair Anna Beselin, who also is a member of ICOC International Committee.
Link to Teppich-und Textilkultur e.V. (German language)
Sweden
Pazyryk Oriental Rug Society
The society with 120 members promotes global textile and rug knowledge, focusing especially on the Orient. Pazyryk was started by Peter Willborg with a small group of enthusiasts 40 years ago.
Activities include 4–5 lectures or events each spring and fall, plus international and domestic trips.
They also organize courses, including beginner and advanced classes on rugs, and practical repair workshops.
Actually Pazyryk is planning to celebrate their 40 years anniversary with an exhibition of curated rugs owned by the members. They have announced it will take place 20-23 november 2025 at Handarbetets Vänners Galleri, Djurgårdsslätten 82, Stockholm
Contact information: Göran Nilsson, Chair, Goran.Nilsson@politik.knivsta.se , Anette Granlund, member of the board and also member of ICOC Executive Committee granlund@uppsalaauktion.se
Link to Orientmattsällskapet Pazyryk (Swedish language)
Switzerland
Forum for Textile and Carpet Art
The “Forum Textil- und Teppichkunst” (FTT) in Basel was founded in 1976 as “Freunde des Orientteppichs” by enthusiasts of antique oriental weaving. In 1980, members organized a major exhibition of antique rugs, kilims, and soumak bags at the Gewerbemuseum Basel, accompanied by a published catalog. The name change reflects the broader collecting interests of members in global textile traditions.
The society offers regular lectures, social gatherings, show-and-tell events, and museum visits at home and abroad.
Anyone interested in antique textiles is welcome to join — active collecting is not a requirement.
FTT, in collaboration with TKF and ICOC, has been co-organizer of a tour: Carpets and Collections of the Swiss Alpine Area 2024.
FTT has announced the dates for their 50 Years Anniversary Symposium which will take place 21–22 March 2026. International speakers will present contributions on the theme “Textiles in Transition.” and FTT invites to join the event. Read more in the announcement and invitation from FTT (German language). Contact ftt-symposium@hotmail.com for more information about the symposium.
Contact information: Esther Sackmann, President and also member of ICOC Executive Committee, esackmann@hotmail.com
Link to Forum Textil- und Teppichkunst (German language)
UK
Oriental Rug & Textile Society of Great Britain
The Oriental Rug & Textile Society of Great Britain (ORTS), founded in 1977, originally focused on carpets and textiles from Asia and the Middle East but now embraces global weaving traditions. Its mission is to advance understanding of carpet and textile production and highlight traditional weaving centers through expert talks.
The Society organizes visits to museums, auction houses, and private collections.
The society some times offer virtual lectures open for a world wide audience.
Contact information: membership.orts@gmail.com
Link to Oriental Rug & Textile Society of Great Britain
USA
Textile Museum Associates of Southern California
Textile Museum Associates of Southern California, Inc. (TMA/SC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1985. TMA/SC presents monthly educational programs, discussions, field trips, and special events focused on handmade textiles, ethnographic weavings and dress, Oriental carpets and fiber art from around the world, mostly from non-Western cultures.
Recent years TMA/SC has been very active launching online webinars with internationally renowned scholars. Their newsletter (subscription page) includes a wealth of information on rug and textile events.
Contact information: Cheri Hunter, President and also member of ICOC International Committee, info@tmasc.org
Link to Textile Museum Associates of Southern California
New England Rug Society
The New England Rug Society (NERS), founded in 1985, is an informal group dedicated to deepening appreciation for antique oriental rugs and ethnographic textiles. Originally regional, NERS expanded globally in 2020 with a successful webinar program sparked by COVID-19 and changing circumstances. The society now connects rug enthusiasts worldwide through online events and resources. Membership is open to everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned experts.
Recent webinars includes “Gems of Ottoman Classical Rugs – A New Perspective” by Stefano Ionescu March 1, 2025
Contact information: Joel Greifinger, President, Contact page at NERS
Link to New England Rug Society
Hajji Baba Club
The Hajji Baba Club, founded in New York in 1932, is the oldest U.S. organization dedicated to oriental carpets and antique textiles. Its members include leading collectors and scholars, with monthly meetings offering lectures, show-and-tell sessions, and shared meals. Since 2020, the club has hosted public Zoom presentations, with recordings available to members, while in-person events continue in NYC. The Hajji Baba Club also organizes member trips and sponsors textile research, including a fellowship.
The Hajji Baba Club Research Fellowship supports primary research in the field of carpet studies. Deadline for applicants 2025-2026 was May 2, 2025.
Contact information: Elisabeth Parker, President, Contact page at the Hajji Baba Club’s website
Link to the Hajji Baba Club