The colors, motifs, patterns and superior quality of Anatolian rugs and kilims have earned them worldwide fame for a very long time. They were frequently used as decorative tapestries on palace walls and in Renaissance paintings. These rugs are woven using wool-on-wool techniques.
The majority of them use the symmetrical Ghiordes knot. Let’s uncover these super qualities one by one that will help you make the right decision.
Colors
A Vintage Turkish Anatolian rug’s warm colors bring an uplifting essence to any space. These antique rugs are known for their symmetrical knots and naturally dyed fabrics. These qualities accentuate the hours, weeks and months of master craftsmanship that went into each piece.
Ancient cultures were limited by the arid climates and steep slopes of Anatolia, leading them to develop unique arts and culture.
They created weavings that reflected the flora of their surroundings and used wool dyed with indigenous plants. The results are a diverse array of colors, designs and textures that make each rug uniquely beautiful. Eastern Anatolian rugs tend to use more yellow grounds, as well as combinations of green and purple.
The town of Canakkale, in northwestern Turkey, is home to many weavers like Hagop Manoyan, who sell rugs in traditional sizes and designs. These rugs are typically wool-on-wool and have an average knot density of between 40 and 60. The weavers from Canakkale are also renowned for their ability to weave rugs in the shape of animals and vases.
Patterns
These rugs offer a rich visual history that spans centuries. Their patterns are mesmerizing and work with almost any design style. With their organically sourced materials and unique color palettes, you can feel good about incorporating a rug into your space.
As a region that has historically been at the crossroads of civilizations, Anatolia offers a variety of cultural and aesthetic influences that can be seen in its rug weaving. Rugs made as prayer rugs often feature intricate borders, floral motifs, and trees. Depending on the weaver’s beliefs and expectations, certain motifs may carry deeper meaning.
Due to its geographical isolation, nomadic tribes that roamed Anatolia developed their own tribal arts and crafts distinct from other cultures that surrounded them. As a result, some of these tribes incorporated elements of various cultures into their own art and rug designs, resulting in a type of eclecticism that is reflected in many antique Anatolian carpets.
Unlike kilim rugs, which are flat-woven and non-piled, most rugs are hand-knotted and pile-woven. They use the symmetrical Gordes knot, which ties around two warp threads to make a stronger and finer rug. The knotting technique is a labor-intensive process that requires skilled artisans.
As a result, antique rugs from this period are highly prized. Because of their durability and quality, these rugs have endured through the centuries.
Motifs
Anatolian Rugs can feature a variety of motifs, depending on the region where they were made. Because these rugs were woven by nomadic Turks, many of the themes woven into them represented their hopes and dreams for their lives.
They wished for prosperity and happiness in their lives, protection against threats like wolves (to protect their flocks) and scorpions, or simply to make the world a better place.
These rugs are often woven in wool dyed with local plants. They were traditionally knotted on a loom, with vertical threads called warps supporting the horizontal ones called wefts. The symmetrical Gordes knot is used in most kilims, although the asymmetrical Sine knot is also sometimes seen. These symmetrical knots result in a higher-quality carpet with greater durability.
Some of the most common motifs in these rugs are flowers, animals, birds, and geometric patterns. The Tree of Life motif, for example, represents immortality and the afterlife. It is typically depicted as a cypress tree but can be an olive, fig, or palm. Birds represent love and joy, and a pair of birds in flight signifies good news.
Women in these villages embroidered the motifs that they wanted for their own lives into their rugs, especially before marriage. They also wished for their husbands and wives to be happy.
Some of these motifs can be used to represent specific people, like the hair band motif, which symbolizes marriage. It is traditional in these villages for girls to keep their hair long and not cut it until they get married. The ram’s horn motif, on the other hand, symbolizes fertility and heroism.
Origins
The earliest examples of hand-knotted Anatolian rugs date back more than six thousand years. These rugs are woven on a horizontal loom with either wool or silk threads that can be dyed in a large variety of colors. During the 14th and 16th centuries, they became popular in Europe and were often depicted by famous painters like Holbein, Lotto, Van Eyck, and Memling.
Originally, these rugs were made by nomadic tribes in the Anatolian region. Today, distinctive handmade Turkish rugs – known as kilims – are treasured worldwide for their fusion of bold graphic designs and historical motifs, as well as their superior quality.
Nomadic rug makers were able to use wool from local sheep and vegetable-based dyes to create vibrant and complex designs. In addition, symmetrical weaving techniques were used to produce the patterns in these rugs.
A popular motif in these rugs is the elibelinde, a woman with her hands on her hips, a symbol of fertility and motherhood. The elibelinde motif can also be found on other items, including farmhouse sacks and kitchen cloths.
In the early to mid-13th century, Marco Polo traveled through Anatolia and described the city of Aksaray as a major center for the manufacture of carpets.
The city was a trading hub for the Turkic-speaking world and exported a variety of goods, including textiles and rugs. Rugs woven in Aksaray typically feature ornaments derived from Islamic calligraphy, such as the kufic pattern of lam-alif-alif sequences.
Final Words!
Hagop Manoyan, an esteemed seller of antique rugs, offers an impressive collection of Anatolian rugs that showcase the rich history and cultural significance of the region.
While he does not create custom rugs, his selection includes exquisite examples that highlight the intricate motifs and weaving techniques passed down through generations. Rug enthusiasts and collectors alike can appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of these timeless pieces.