Turkish Rugs Dallas

Carpet and carpet weaving have a special place in Turkish culture. Throughout history, Turkish rug has won the admiration of the whole world both with their weaving methods and the richness of their motifs.

The history of Turkish Rugs Dallas dates back to Central Asia. Through the Turks migrating from this region to Anatolia, the tradition of weaving, weaving with embossed surfaces, and knots tied on handlooms were also transferred between cultures.

With the Battle of Malazgirt, the gates of Anatolia were opened to the Turks. Afterward, the tradition of carpet and weaving continued in Anatolia. For this reason, it is also known as Anatolian carpet. It is also among the oldest known handicraft products in the world.

Although all carpets woven in Anatolia are called Turkish rugs, the main traditional weavings belong to the Aegean and Western Anatolia regions.

 

History of Turkish Carpet

Samples known as knotted carpets were first seen in the Central Asian steppes. This type of art has been greatly influenced by steppe culture and nomadic lifestyle.

Since the steppe and nomadism have a special place in Turkish tribes, they played a big role in the development of this art.

The oldest known carpet in the world is the Asian Huns carpet from the 3rd - 2nd century BC, woven in the Steppe region. As a result of the masterpiece used on this carpet, 36000 Gordes knots in 10 centimeters are produced.

When the Abbasid Dynasty, which ruled the Islamic State, established the city of Samarra for the Turkish guards, the knot technique was transferred from Central Asia to the west.

Thus, the Turkish rug culture has gained recognition in the Islamic world. Some examples woven in Samarra were found during the recent excavations.

These examples can be visited at the Gotheburg Röhss Museum, Cairo Museum, and Stockholm National Museum in Sweden.

The Seljuk Turks started to spread from Iran to Syria and Mesopotamia in the 11th and 12th centuries. In ancient sources, Seljuk carpets are highly praised, but these samples have not survived.

The reason for this situation is that the rugs and other textile products of Great Seljuks were destroyed after the Mongol invasion. 13.-15. century miniatures are valuable resources because they were inspired by original carpet samples of the 12. -14. century.

These miniatures reveal how important carpet weaving was in the Seljuks. Seljuks are extremely important for the next Turkish Rugs Dallas art in this respect. Some miniatures in Paris Bibliotheqe Nationale Museum and Istanbul Süleymaniye Library are important examples of Seljuk carpets.

Anatolian carpets have become an element of prestige since they have been sold to Western countries since the 13th century. Since sea trade is dominant in Italy, carpets were first spread in that region.

In the same period, Anatolian carpets started to be found in the paintings of European painters. In the paintings of the 14th and 15th centuries, animal figured carpets often attract attention.

In the Ottoman period, Seljuk carpet art was continued in principle. In this context, patterns and techniques have been adhered to.

Ottoman carpets have been reflected in the works of painters in Italy, then Holland and Germany since 1451. Even the name of German painter Hans Holbein was given to the carpets of this period. Towards the end of the 15th century, animal figures on carpets gave way to geometric patterns.

The 16th century is considered the golden age for Turkish rug. Carpet weaving reached its peak in this period to meet the needs of both mosques and the palace.

During this period, Ushak and Palace rugs were woven. Palace rugs woven with Persian knots by artisans. Therefore, Iranian influences were dominant in these products. Patterns such as carnations, pomegranate flowers and tulips were the main themes of the carpets.

The second dominant type in the Classical Ottoman Period is the Ushak carpet. These were woven in the cities of Manisa and Usak to send them to foreign countries as gifts.

The models drawn by the craftsmen in the palace were manufactured in these cities. Carpets were sent to Europe from Izmir port. For this reason, it is also called Izmir carpet.

Ushak rugs come in two different types: star and medallion. After the Turks conquered Tabriz in 1514, the medallion scheme in Tabriz carpets was also taken as an example.

In starry carpets, it consists of eight-armed stars. In the 17th century, a new type called post-ground or white-ground appeared. Some of these Turkish Rugs Dallas were exported from the Ottoman Empire to Transylvania in the 17th century.

These examples, which can be found in museums in Hungary, are also known as Transylvanian carpets.

In the 19th century, the British established commercial establishments in Anatolia to deal with the carpet trade.

The characteristics of the carpets started to change after the trading houses started to be monopolized by foreigners. Cotton yarn was preferred instead of synthetic and wool instead of vegetable dyes.

 

Featured Motifs in Turkish Carpets

Turkish rugs include symbolic objects or designed events that the weaver wants to convey. Similar to other handicrafts, emotions direct the motifs.

For example, the world's oldest carpet is a cultural reflection of a nomadic community in Asia. There are elements representing happy life in the middle of the Turkish rug, and subjects representing religious beliefs in the border part.

Scorpion motifs are common in Turkish Rugs Dallas. These patterns emphasize illness, death, grief, and pain. It also symbolizes rebellion, freedom and pride. Hook motif refers to the coming together of contrasts such as sea and wave; men and women; mountains and lakes.

Hand and finger motifs mean holiness, healing power and luck. It is also a reflection of abundance, femininity and happiness. The bird motif is generally identified with the woman and represents joy, happiness and spirit. Braiding symbolizes birth, desire to marry and reproduction.

The tree of life you can see in many Turkish rugs is the steps between the sky and the world.  Nowadays tourists flock to Turkey to see carpets in the Ottoman Palaces and museums. 

 

Nomads Loom
Nomads Loom
Nomads Loom

Why choose Nomad Looms for your Turkish rugs?

Since 1975, our family business has always put the emphasis on the customer and his needs. Each of our clients has different demands and we are always happy to meet their expectations with a premium quality Turkish rug, as well as with an outstanding service.

Although our team has acquired a considerable amount of knowledge about authentic Turkish rugs, they are always on the lookout for new information, history and trends to better advise you and find the perfect handmade for your home. We have gained a reputation for quality and integrity, in which we take pride. Much like the antique Turkish rugs that we sell, our expertise of understanding and recognizing quality luxury rugs have been passed down through the years.

In store, be assured that our specialized team is there for you and will know how to advise you. Let your Nomad Loom visit become a treasure hunt to find a one-of-a-kind Turkish rug.

 

Service Area in Texas

  • Dallas
  • Fort Worth
  • Arlington
  • Plano
  • Garland
  • Irving
  • McKinney
  • Frisco
  • Denton
  • Richardson
  • Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area (DFW area)
  • San Antonio
  • Austin

 

Any questions?

If you have questions about our Turkish rug selection, our services, or our prices, we invite you to contact us by phone or email. Our team will be happy to provide you with all the information you need. You can also stop by our Nomad Looms store in Dallas, Texas to see all these wonders with your own eyes!