Vintage turkish rugs are a designer go-to for their ability to effortlessly add color and warmth to a room. With a rich cultural heritage that spans centuries, these rug’s intricate design patterns and symbolic representations embody Turkey’s traditions and folklore.
Unlike Persian rugs, Turkish carpets tend to have larger scale designs with softer color palettes. During the thirteenth century, when the Seljuk and Timurid rule of the region ushered in major aesthetic changes to rug production, rugs began to include more complex motifs and intricately detailed fields that showcased winding detail elements. The Ottoman rule of the region in the late seventeenth century would also oversee major changes to carpet production, with a popular central medallion rug style and double niched prayer rugs becoming particularly popular.
The style of Turkish rugs varies greatly depending on the weaving tradition of each area. Bergama rugs produce tribal-influenced Turkoman pieces, Hereke rugs offer elegant curve-linear patterns worthy of the Ottoman palaces and Oushak rugs are revered for their decorative room-sized carpets that are known for their soft pastel coloring. Additionally, many of these rugs are woven with natural dyes and some even incorporate symbolism that carries significant spiritual or cultural significance to the weaver.
If you are on the hunt for a vintage turkish rug, start by thinking about the specific dimensions of the space you want to fill. This will help you narrow down your search and avoid wasting time on a rug that isn’t the right fit for your space. Also keep in mind that vintage rugs are often sized differently than manufactured rugs, so be flexible with your dimensions.