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Turkish Rug & Kilims
Turkish rugs, with their variety of colors, weaves, designs and
materialism, have for centuries captured imaginations worldwide. A
hand-woven rug is almost always a work of art, created from an ancient
tradition that has developed over many millennia.
Catal Huyuk in Anatolia is one of the oldest known urban settlements in
the world. The evidence from this important archaeological site indicates
that the city came into existence sometime around 7000B.C., and that its
residents were not only successful farmers, hunters and herdsmen, they
were also skilled weavers. Traces of wall paintings contain designs that
are still found on Turkish kilims, traditional flat-weave rugs. It is said
that kilims of the time inspired the paintings, because of the suggestion
of knots and woven material included in the artwork. There is also
evidence that the kilims themselves were hung on walls the excavation has
revealed unexpected blank spaces on the painted walls, with tiny holes
where the rugs may have been secured
The international popularity of Turkish rugs began in the 13th century,
when Marco Polo recorded the beauty and quality of the Seljuk rugs he saw
in Anatolia. It is believed that certain weaving techniques were brought
to Anatolia via the Seljuk Empire in the 12th century. By the times of
Marco Polo's visit, the Seljuk capital of Konya was a major rug producer.
Several Seljuk rugs were discovered in mosques under layers of more recent
rugs, and are now housed in museums in Konya and Istanbul.
Turkish rugs began appearing in Western paintings in the 15th and 16th
centuries, and were often depicted either beneath the feet of the Virgin
Mary or as table coverings. Europeans valuated the rugs too highly to
place them on floors other than those of a royal palace. In A.D. 552,
silkworms were smuggled into Turkey by two Byzantine priests who went to
China specifically to learn the entire silk process, from breeding the
silkworms to weaving the fabric. In the 19th century, the town of Hereke
began producing durable silk rugs, richly designed with "Palace Art,"
which are patterns that reflect the art of the late Ottoman period. The
designs include stylized flowers such as tulips and carnations, as well as
an assortment of intricately veined leaves and twined branches.
In Turkey, rugs were very practical purposes. Both nomads and city
dwellers have used the carpets as floor, wall and doorway hangings, to
keep out the cold. Kilims are often used as curtains, blankets and sofa
coverings, for warmth and decoration. Mosques in Turkey often have several
layers of carpets blanketing the floor where people can kneel and pray.
Traditionally, hand mate rugs reflect both ancient patterns and the
weaver's personal style or wishes. Once the traditional motifs are
memorized, the weaver can combine them in a way that tells a story to one
who understands the symbols used. A young woman might include an earring
motif to express her desire to marry, since earrings are an important
wedding gift in the culture. Today, very few rugs are made this way
because of large international demand. Many are woven into redesigned
patterns, and are no longer a direct expression of the weaver's
creativity.
Turkish rugs are still rich in symbolism, with many recurring motifs. One
much used symbol is the ram's horn, which resembles a crescent when
incorporated into a rug. The horn represents masculinity as well as
concepts culturally associated with it, such as heroism and power. When
this motif is combined with its feminine counterpart - a stylized human
figure with arms akimbo - it stands for fertility, and is often further
combined with designs of plants and fruits.
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