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Knotted carpets For centuries carpet weaving has been women's art. They start when they are very young, the skill of their thin fingers allowing them to work fast. This tradition is still being perpetuated in many villages of Turkey. The particularity of the Turkish carpets lies in the knot used: the Turkish knot called Gardes. Bergama carpets are of a different style and can be divided in two main groups: Kozak type with big geometrical designs, and Turkish type which designs are very floral. Their wool pile is thick and shiny with bright colors (red, blue). Milas carpets are historically very reputed above all prayer rugs. Their colors are rather light with large and simple decorations and the mirhab (prayer niche) has an unusual shape elongated terminating in a lozenge. Gardes carpets: the Turkish knot originates from Gardes, a place located in the Aegean region near Manisa. Kula carpets resemble those of Gardes and Uak. They have strong geometric designs, which can vary in patterns, and wide borders decorated with little stars and flowers. Their colors are rich but soft. They have a short and lusty pile and are very elegant. Ladik carpets: Ladik and Konya is the oldest carpet making centers in Turkey because Konya was the capital of the Seljuk empire. Stylized floral motives are used and colors are vivid and well matched. Kayseri carpets are often in floral designs with colors of white, cream, light and dark brown. They are made of cotton and wool or of pure silk. Another type is called Bunyan with many more colors used. Yahyale carpets made in the vicinity of Kayseri are very popular. A rich red with indigo colored blue is used. The main ornamental motif of the field is the hexagon, which is similar to those of the Yahyale carpets, but they have a border with stylized flowers of brilliant shades of yellow and gold. Hereke carpets are produced near Istanbul and are woven in cotton, wool or silk with traditional floral designs. In the 19th Century the workshops worked for the sultans and a great number of carpets were sent as an imperial tribute to all the crowned heads of Europe. The dominant colors are dark blue, cream and cinnamon and occasionally yellow and green. Yahyale carpets are made by nomadic or semi-nomadic tribes and are mostly produced in the mountainous regions. They are finely shaded due to the vegetal rich colors used. The predominant patterns are geometric motives with stylized animals and flowers. Kars carpets are woven in the highland regions in the Caucasian style, and are among the rarest carpets. The wool pile is thick with cruciform designs and stylized trees, and have navy blue, red and cream colors. According to Ehrenberg, the decorated streets are a spiritual kaleidoscope thanks to the colorful prayer Rugs and the dancers and musicians in the church atrium.Michigan State University Extension Home Maintenance and Repair - 01500211 12/04/98 Rushes, Grass Rugs - Care and Cleaning Care Natural fiber rugs are made of rushes and grasses. Copyright 2002-2003 © Knotted Carpets LTD. |