Turkish Rugs - The True Turkish Delight
Handmade Turkish rugs are world famous
Once Turkish Rugs were made out of sheer necessity. Tents, rugs, kilims, felts sacks and satchels, were all items needed for living. This weaving became a very important part of their everyday lives. In the beginning of this weaving, the Turk nomads made warps, wefts and knots, from their animals wool. Most likely goat and camel hair were commonly used.
The Turkish people brought their carpet weaving tradition with them when they migrated from Central Asia towards the west. Their rugs often were a reflection of their own lives, and the living conditions they were subjected to endure.
Along the way, the Turks added the influence of their new conditions and began to be influenced by other cultures. The rugs and weaving are becoming works of what they learned along the way, and they started to incorporate new colours into their designs.
Turkish carpet weaving is an art that goes back to pre-Islamic times, but with the arrival of Islam, came some brand new designs and inspirations. This greatly influenced their rugs and was a reflection of this diverse ethnic history and their political conditions.
After the 12th century AD, when trades became intense between Western Europe and the Islamic world, Turkish Rugs became very well known and sought after in Europe. Trade was then established between Europe and the Ottoman Empire. Carpets became known by the trade name of"Turkish carpets", regardless of their actual place of origin.
In the 19th century, the interest of "Oriental rugs" and all of the cultural diversity around them became intensely popular, especially to the Western European art historians.
Some of the most popular vintage Turkish rugs are, Hereke, Oushak, Bergama, Konyas, Milas, Yuruk, and Turkman.
Hereke Turkish Rugs
These rugs are known for their weave of very fine silk. It's common to find threads of gold and silver in them. Hereke rugs are also considered to be "palace rugs" for their intricate designs, Hereke rugs most often display an array of flowers, birds and the tree of life. These rugs are a pride to the Turkish culture and are highly sought after by collectors and royalty all around the world.
Oushak Turkish Rugs
The Oushak rug is known for its Persian influence, these carpets remain in very high demand, due to their quality. They tend to be more coarsely woven and are always made using the "Ghiordes Knot". Typically these are based on geometric designs and sometimes include a prayer niche design. Oushak rugs are well known for their depiction of vines and leaves.
Bergama Turkish Rugs
Bergama rugs are usually intense in colour, most typically in shades of reds and blues. They tend to be very square in shape and show their very strong tribal influence of the Yagcibedir tribe. These are very distinctive designs most often based on large scale geometrical patterns, leaves and pine trees.
Konya Turkish Rugs
Konya rugs are very well known for their use of very bold tribal designs. These rugs boast magnificent colours, soft earth tones with very strong hits of reds. Commonly the Konya rugs are made with tribal motifs and also hexagonal basic figures, These designs are sometimes done in very neat rows, or scattered throughout the rug's field.
Milas Turkish Rugs
Milas rugs are very finely woven and are usually defined by their very wide borders and small designs in the field. The Milas rug can often be found with a mihrab design, also floral patterns and geometric designs. These rugs are very liberal with the colour yellow also using purples and lavenders.
Turkman Turkish Rugs
Turkman rugs tend to have a red background, sometimes more of an earthy red tone. Usually, they have geometric shapes that run evenly across or vertically down the rug. Most often they are repeated and sometimes placed between much larger octagonal motifs. Some Turkman rugs can have intense pops of colour such as white, beige, blue and black.
Rugs are most definitely the pride of the Turkish people.Perhaps this is the real "Turkish Delight". With centuries of dedication behind them. The Turkish rug is filled with love and dedication, countless hours of diligence and perseverance. Knot by knot, the poetry of these Turkish rugs can truly be felt.
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- Tanya Shea