Carpets are stapled additions to any home. They make bold, decorative statements, and can tie together a room like no other accessory. Turkish rugs have long been sought after all around the world, ranging from London to Paris to New York to Houston. The bottom line is Turkish carpets are beautiful, and with their history and craftsmanship, are highly desirable.
A few qualities easily distinguish Turkish rugs:
- Design. There is a wide range of traditional Turkish designs you will find on Turkish carpets. Sharp geometrical shapes or softer floral patterns are only two of the many motifs decorating the carpets. There is a long history behind the symbols, each one with a particular story to tell or a blessing to lay.
- Color. You’ll never find a dull-colored Turkish carpet. When the art form first arose, the weavers used dyed cotton, wool, or silk to hand-weave the rugs. These days the manufacturers use synthetic dyes, but the end product is still bright and colorful.
- The knots. The most recognizable feature of these rugs is the knotting technique. Symmetrical knots became so common that Western rug dealers in the 20th century dubbed the knots as “Turkish.” Today, the knotting technique is still in practice in workshops and village homes. And while there are four different varieties of Turkish rugs, the symmetrical knots are the most distinctive feature and are generally what people think of when they refer to Turkish carpets.
Turkish rugs have been around for centuries. Fragments of carpets dated to be from the 13th century were discovered in 1905, which only proves the rugs’ staying power. Although the techniques have evolved, the creation of these rugs hasn’t changed too much since their beginning days. Owning a Turkish carpet is like owning a piece of history, an art piece full of stories and tradition.
