Egypt

Bedouin wool rugs. Look for durable, striped camelhair rugs in bazaars across Egypt and in the Khan El Khalili bazaar in Cairo. Find distinctive carpets and wall hangings that depict rural scenes from the Wissa Wassef Art Centre in Cairo (tel. +20 2 385 0403).

Jewelry. The Khan El Khalili bazaar holds many of Egypt's gold and silver shops. Pass up typical hieroglyph cartouches for more original handcrafted jewelry inspired by Egyptian history at the Ain Gallery (73 El Hussein Street) in the Dokki neighborhood. For bold Bedouin jewelry decorated with bells, coins, beads, and semiprecious stones, visit Nomad (14 Saraya El Gezira Street) in the Zamalek neighborhood.

Decorative household objects. Egypt specializes in a variety of handicrafts for the home, including mashrabiya (carved woodwork), mother-of-pearl inlay, and brass and copper ware. Find these at the Khan El Khalili bazaar in Cairo, Ain Gallery, and Nomad. Textiles are available in Tentmaker Street near the Bab Zuweila neighborhood.