Turkish Rugs

Turkish Rugs

Turkish rugs have a rug-making tradition as old as Persia's, but since most Turks are Sunni Muslims, they observe the strict Koranic prohibition against the depiction of people and animals on textiles rather more strictly than their Shiite neighbors. For this reason their Turkish rug designs are based on more overall geometric motifs, frequently of a prayer type design. More conventional designs are also available, however not as plentiful. For example, the ones from Hereke, one of the finest carpet making towns, often use calligraphy as a motif design.

Turkish rugs also tend to be more coarsely woven than the Persian styles, and are almost always woven with the Ghiordes knot. The colors most frequently used are reds, blues, and  green, their sacred color, is used on mostly prayer carpets. They are also known by such names as Koula, Ladik, Bergoma, Milas, or Ghiordes as well as Kilims, and Hereke (mentioned earlier).

Turkish rugs such as the Hereke, typically use a combination of pure wool and real silk (or all silk)  in the weaving process. Actual silk rugs can be quite costly, but are truly collector items. Caution needs to be exercised when considering purchasing a 'silk' carpet. For instance, is it real silk or simply mercerized cotton made to look like silk? Those that resemble actual silk weaves, are called in the industry, art-silk. They cost considerably less than the ones made of pure silk. Especially is care needed when purchasing one from an actual bazaar in Turkey. Although most are honest and professional business people, there are those who will take advantage of a naive and inexperienced buyer.

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