During the mid-19th century, rugs from western Turkey enjoyed a great Oriental revival. This included rustic tribal weavings woven in traditional rug weaving villages.
Sister Golden, an Etsy shop curated by a mother-daughter duo, features a collection of Turkish vintage rugs with muted palettes that have a stylishly faded look.
Wool
With ruby reds, misted blues and entwined botanical designs, antique Turkish rugs are a go-to for interior designers looking to create elegantly pulled together spaces. Their design motifs have also inspired painters such as Hans Holbein.
Rugs from the central region of Anatolia have gained a reputation for their superior artistry and construction techniques. The back side of a Turkish rug often displays the fine weaving technique used to construct the piece.
Antique Turkish rugs are woven from wool, an exceptionally strong and durable material that is pliable and accepts dye well. Buyers can expect to pay inflated prices for these rugs if purchased from sellers in tourist-centric cities or local shops that buy rugs from intermediaries rather than directly from the villagers. Purchasing from a source that gets the rugs straight from the villagers can save up to 60 percent on an antique Turkish rug’s price.
Cotton
This antique Turkish rug features a traditional pattern combining flowers and leaves in gray colors. Its subtle color combination is perfect for homeowners who want to add a splash of colors to their home without overwhelming it. Its natural washed out aesthetic is also great for modern and contemporary inspired homes.
Turkish rugs have been a source of pride for their country for centuries. They have been passed down from generation to generation and woven using different techniques. The design motifs on these rugs reflect the rich history of Turkey and the traditions of its peoples.
These rugs are also known as kilims and are handwoven with mixed materials of cotton and goat hair. They are usually soft and durable and have a slightly rough feel to them. They are very versatile and can be used as a floor covering or wall decor.
Natural dyes
The quality of the dyes used in rug making is a vital factor to consider when assessing the desirability of an antique rug. Until synthetic dyes were developed in the 1860’s and 1900’s all rugs were dyed with natural vegetable dyes.
Natural dyes have a softer and more subtle range of colors which creates a beautiful textile art. Often a rug with multiple shades of the same color will have a textured appearance known as abrash.
A good test to judge a rug is to check the colorfastness. If a rug looks very bright or solid, it is likely to be made with chemical dyes. Natural dyes are colorfast and resist sunlight fading or moisture based running. Typically a mordant was used to fix the dyes and protect the wool from wearing down or becoming damaged over time.
Patterns
Throughout the centuries, tribal and village women wove themes significant for their lives into their rugs. Many of these motifs were protection charms against threats such as wolves, scorpions, or the evil eye.
Exquisite oxidized colors, posh pastels, and whimsical botanical designs make Turkish rugs essential designer carpets for rustic spaces and palatial drawing rooms alike. They’re especially versatile when surrounded by other coordinating furniture with similar color palettes.
From flat-woven kilims to luxuriously knotted hali, vintage Turkish rugs come in numerous styles and weaving techniques. The latter feature Ghiordes, or Turkish, knots wherein one weft yarn wraps around two warp threads, imparting lushness and durability. Certain patterns are so iconic that they were incorporated into paintings by Renaissance masters such as Hans Holbein.
Size
Whether you’re looking for a rug to complement a small space like an entryway or bathroom, or a large piece for your living room, vintage Turkish rugs are a great option. They are made of natural materials and dyes, which make them durable and long-lasting. They also feature beautiful patterns and colors, which can add a touch of elegance to any space.
From oxidized earth tones to posh pastels, vintage Turkish rugs can add elegance and sophistication to any space. They come in many sizes, including kilims and runners. They can be flatwoven, hand-knotted or hand-tufted, and can include either natural or synthetic wool.
The Turkish rug-making tradition is a very old one, dating back to nomadic tribes. These tribes would weave rugs on their travels to decorate their homes and protect them from cold weather.