FLOOR COVERINGS

FLOOR COVERINGS

Our collection of includes authentic Turkish carpets and rugs. The collection features handmade vintage floor coverings and kilims.

Kilims are flat-woven carpets or rugs made in Turkey and the surrounding regions. Some believe that migrating tribes from Eastern Asia brought their weaving traditions and motifs to Anatolian Turkey in the 11th century AD. Others contend that the weaving culture was established in Anatolia during the Neolithic Era. In either case, it is believed that the art of Turkish carpet weaving predates 7,000 BC.

Today, in the rural and agricultural regions of Turkey, the craft is handed down from generation to generation. Traditionally, mothers teach daughters weaving at an early age. During the agricultural off-season, carpet weaving is a way to pass time and generate income.

The motifs seen in Turkish floor coverings reflect the environment where they are created and typically include flora and fauna. With symbols of fertility and prosperity, the motifs also reflect the aspirations, hopes and dreams of the artisan.

Wool and cotton are abundant in Turkey and are the most commonly used fibers. Traditionally, the spinning is done by hand by plying strands of yarn until strong enough for weaving. Dyes for the spun yarn are often obtained from local plants and flowers. Weaving is done on hand-looms (with the width of the loom determining the width of the floor covering).

A handmade floor covering can take months or years to create and should be treated as a work of art.