Turkish Rugs

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 vaulted the rugs too highly to place them on floors other than those of a royal palace. In AD 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.