Vintage turkish rugs add a touch of bohemian allure to any room. Whether you’re looking to elevate a rustic bedroom or enliven an industrial kitchen, these classic carpets are the perfect way to accentuate your sense of style and tie your space together. Vintage rugs are also typically one-of-a-kind and often have an heirloom quality to them.
The clearest historical record of rug production in Turkey stretches back to the thirteenth century, with the reign of the Seljuk Turks. Though other antique rugs were surely woven before, the Seljuks are credited with introducing a new level of sophistication to the art. With their intricately realized field designs and stacked medallions, these antique Turkish rugs are often referred to as the precursors of modern Persian rug design.
As the power of the Seljuks waned, and parts of the Middle East were conquered by the Safavids of Persia, the rugs produced in Turkey continued to evolve. The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries saw a number of important changes in the weaving styles that came to define these beautiful carpets. In particular, the city of Oushak (also known as Ushak) was responsible for a number of significant changes in rug production that have left their mark on antique Turkish rugs that are treasured today for their ruby reds and misted blues.
Other important weaving centers included Bergama, where the best of the antique Turkish rugs featured dazzling lighter green fields and blossoming “tree-of-life” motifs. Ladik rugs, on the other hand, were known for their dramatic prayer designs in madder red colors that were achieved through the use of rare cochineal dye from Kerkes beetles. Lastly, the Ottoman empire overseen a period of considerable change that resulted in the emergence of niched prayer designs that are a hallmark of many of today’s finest Turkish rugs.
While these antique rugs continue to be revered for their evocative color palettes, the designs themselves have become increasingly modern and reinterpretive of traditional motifs. This has led to a great diversity in the antique Turkish rugs available on the market, each with its own unique take on the art of rug making.
Regardless of how you choose to interpret the art of the rug, the one constant in all antique turkish rugs is that they are all created with the highest quality wool and natural dyes. Their soft, lustrous textures are a testament to the weavers’ nomadic heritage and the rich history of the region. In addition, their ability to withstand the test of time makes them a truly timeless and valuable investment for any home.