TURKISH RUG & CARPETS
| At present, it is impossible to prove exactly when and where rug weaving began, as there is no reliable source, but it can be traced back as early the Neolithic age (7000 B.C.). The first examples consisting of warp and weft were textile products which resembled flat weave kilims. Then rugs were created by forming knots to make a pile. According to scientist, rug weaving must have originated in the dry steppe regions where the nomadic tribes lived. Central Asia was a suitable location for the first rug-weaving center because of the availability of land for herding sheep and because of the climate of the region.
Rug weaving in Anatolia first began with the arrival of the Turkish tribes from Central Asia, who settled in this region. Therefore, Anatolian rugs form a branch of ethnic Turkish rugs. Some of the oldest examples known are the eighteen surviving pieces woven by the Selcuk Turks in the 13th century. The motifs in these pieces represented in stylized floral and geometrical patterns in several basic colors and were women in Sivas, Kayseri and the capital Konya.
The art of rug weaving which began with the Selcuks continued with the Ottoman Turks. After the Selcuk Turks and before the Ottomans (during the transition period in the 14th century) animal figures began to appear on the rugs.
Hand made carpets are generally called after the region or town where they are manufactured. Contemporary carpets are made in various sizes and with combinations of various materials.
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Examples of Turkish Rug & Carpets
 | Pure Silk Carpets Hereke : Since the 19th century, Hereke (small town 60 km. east of İstanbul) has been one of the most important carpet weaving center and produce the most famous and finest silk carpets of the world. The first looms were installed by order of the Sultan for the making of carpets for the palace and the nobility. Naturalistic floral decoration is typical of the pure silk Hereke carpets. With a million knots per square meter these carpets represent the supreme achievement of contemporary carpet weaving. Some of them are embroidered in gold thread. They are manufactured in various sizes with the silk produced in Bursa. Hereke is also famous its cotton and wool carpets. | | | |
Kayseri : The town of Kayseri, which is the industrial capital of Cappadocia is one of the most famous carpet manufacturing centers of Turkey. Carpets are produced using a variety of techniques and materials in all sizes. It is possible to find prayer pure silk carpets, also with floral decoration. They have about 640.000 knots per square meter. As Hereke, Kayseri is also known for its cotton and wool carpets. | 
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| | Cotton and Wool Milas : It is an important carpet center in Western Anatolia. Milas carpets are made in pale, delicate tones produced with vegetable dyes. The dominant colors are yellow, tobacco color, dark and light brown and reddish brown. The geometric patterns are the predominant design; another characteristic feature is the use of the "mihrap" (prayer niche) pattern. | | | |
Döşeme altı (Nomade) : The seminomadic tribes of the yürüks, near Antalya, manufacture handmade carpets, döşeme altı, from the pure wool and vegetal dyes they themselves produce. The nomadic taste is expressed in geometric patterns, and a color harmony of blues, dark greens and reds.
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| Yahyalı : These carpets, produced in very small region, are famous all over the world. High quality pure wool and vegetal dyes are used by the weavers who produce their own material. Dominant colors of a Yahyalı carpet are navy blue, red and brown. The major designs of a "mihrap" or a medallion are elaborated with the addition of geometric patterns. |
Kilims
Pure silk kilims : In the past, kilims were woven by nomadic tribes to make utility objects for their tents such as curtains, floor carpets, cradles, donkey bags and such… Now they are produced in the villages with the traditional methods for the decoration of contemporary houses. | | | | |
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Wool kilims : They are produced in Kayseri, Denizli and Van, Balikesir, Usak , Manisa, Yuntdag, Isparta etc. If they all possess geometric patterns, the colors are different according to the region they come from.
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