Vintage Turkish rugs are an interior designer go-to, offering both bohemian allure and cultural verisimilitude. To achieve their faded, pastel look, they are sheared and then laid out to sun for a natural fading process.
From vibrant flatwoven Kilims to ornate Hereke rugs, each rug tells its own story of history, culture and artistic expression. Exquisite oxidized colors, posh pastels and whimsical botanical designs make these rugs essential designers’ carpets for rustic spaces and palatial drawing rooms alike.
Quality
Turkish rugs are globally recognized for their beauty and craftsmanship. Whether they’re woven with wool or silk, these beautiful rugs add comfort and elegance to rustic spaces or palatial drawing rooms. They also encapsulate a profound artistic expression of Turkey’s culture.
A true Turkish rug is one made in Turkey or the former Ottoman empire using unique traditional weaving techniques. They are characterized by their vibrant color palettes and intricate designs.
Weavers weave Turkish rugs from wool or camel hair and cotton. They use Ghiordes knots, where a weft yarn is wrapped around two warp threads, which gives the rug its lushness and durability. The patterns on these rugs are often naturalistic or geometric and can reflect the region’s heritage and history. Some rugs are sunned to create a faded, pastel effect. The process also helps them look a little “rough” and distressed, which adds to their character. Getting your vintage rug professionally cleaned is a great way to preserve its vibrancy and strength.
History
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Ottoman rug weavers used natural dyes derived from plants, allowing for more subtle color gradations than can be achieved with chemical dyes. As a result, vintage Turkish rugs have a gentle visual texture and near-shimmering quality that are not found in newer commercially bleached carpets.
The use of natural dyes also means that the colors used in a Turkish rug will hold their aesthetic far longer than those that are made with chemical dyes. This is why a vintage Turkish rug can remain a focal point of a room for generations to come.
Whether you’re looking to add bohemian allure to a dining room or an airy and contemporary feel to a living area, a vintage Turkish rug is an ideal choice. From symbol-filled Anatolian rugs to palatial medallion carpets, these artisanal works of art make highly coveted decorative pieces for interior designers today. They add a sense of history to any space while offering unique color pairings that can effectively tie a room together.
Styles
Vintage Turkish rugs are prized for their beauty, durability and value. They can be used to create a calming atmosphere in any space and add texture to any room. Whether you want to use a vintage Turkish rug in your foyer or bedroom, there are a variety of styles to choose from.
Central Anatolia has been a major hub for artisan rug weaving since ancient times. The region is home to a number of popular styles such as Hereke, Kayseri and Oushak rugs. The rugs produced in these areas feature traditional Turkish designs and symbols that are steeped in history.
Historically, weavers wove these rugs using natural dyes from local plants. When chemical dyes were invented, they offered an expanded palette but could not replicate the subtle gradations of color found in natural materials. As a result, older Turkish rugs have a more subdued look than contemporary ones. Regardless, the rugs still stand out for their intricate details and timeless patterns.
Value
Rug weaving is a tradition dating back to the earliest of humankind’s civilizations in Anatolia, which today comprises modern Turkey. Originally used as an essential element of protection from the elements, rug weaving became synonymous with family, cultural identity, and social status.
Using wool for their construction, Turkish rugs are incredibly durable and stand up to wear well. Their natural sheen and ability to easily accept dyes means that they also hold color over time.
Whether used to cover a floor, or as decorative wall hangings (called kilims), vintage Turkish rugs are coveted by interior designers for their richly symbolic, intricate patterns and bold color pairings. Their use of botanical motifs, Safavid Persian symbols, and Arabic arabesques makes them coveted decorative pieces for any home. And because they are handmade and one-of-a-kind, they are bound to increase in value over time.
