Turkish carpets and kilims are in the most valuable collections of museums and collectors in the world, also possession of a Turkish carpet is regarded as a status symbol.
TURKISH CARPETS AND KILIMS
The Turks are nomadic in origin and weaving carpets and kilims which would furnish their tents has been an important part of the culture for thousands of years. Traditionally a craft learnt by women, each carpet would be unique, its variations reflecting both the character of the maker and the place she was from. Thus each region of Turkey has evolved a style of carpet pattern and colours.
Today chemical dyes are more common and carpets may be made from wool, silk and cotton. The density of the knots determines the quality of the carpet the more knots per cm, the more hard wearing it will be.
If you decide to purchase a carpet, most sales merchants will be happy to spend some time explaining the history and meaning of the many symbols in the weave often over a glass of apple tea. In recent years, a number of carpet schools have opened where traditional arts and processes are preserved, the process of carpet making is shown to visitors.
HANDMADE CARPETS
Turkish carpets and kilims are in the most valuable collections of museums and collectors in the world. Today, world museums exhibit the carpets woven in Anatolia as their most important and valuable works of art, beginning from the Seljuk period and continuing with the Ottoman Empire.
Anatolian carpets and kilims with their lively colors, motifs, patterns and superior quality have a universal reputation. Natural dyes are used,, where many families have kept their knowledge of which leaves, flowers, roots and vegetables would yield the most radiant colors.
Also Turkish carpets is highly esteemed, possession of a Turkish carpet is regarded as a status symbol in the world.
MAJOR MOTIFS
Amulet and evil eye, bird, burdock, chest, cross and hook, dragon, eagle, earrings, eye, fertility, fetter, hand, finger and comb, hands on hips, hair band, ram’s horn, running water, scorpion, star, tree of life, wolf’s mouth and track and monster’s feet.
