I wanted to prepare a short article about Turkish carpets which are highly demanded in the world. How much do we really know about these key objects that all of us have in our house and add color to our house? What do the motifs mean? I hope you enjoy reading.
Turkish carpets are one of the handicrafts brought to the Anatolian lands by the Turks with the migration from Central Asia to Anatolia. Turkish carpets, which are based on weaving tradition, are covers with embossed surfaces and produced by using looms. With the conquest of Anatolia by the Turks, the Turkish carpet, also called Türk Anatolian Carpets also has plain weave varieties such as Sumac, Rug, Light Rug and Zilli. Although all carpets produced in Anatolia are called Turkish carpets, most of the world-famous Turkish carpets are produced in the Aegean Region. The biggest difference of Turkish carpet from other carpet types is that it is produced entirely with hand-nodose weaving and pile weaving. Therefore, Turkish carpets are highly preferred in the world.
First Turkish Carpets-Central Asian Carpets
Turkish nodose weaving carpets were first used in Central Asia. These carpets reflecting the steppe culture have a design that reveals the living conditions of the immigrants in the region. It is known that Pazyryk Carpet, the oldest of the carpets, was woven in the 3th century B.C. . 36,000 pieces of Gordes knots are made in 10 square centimeters in the production of this Turkish carpet which is the carpet of Steppe Region.
Samarra Carpets
This carpet, which is the special carpet of the city of Samarra established by the Abbasid Dynasty for the Turkish Guards, could be moved from Central Asia to the West. Introduced by also the Islamic world, the carpet was woven in Samarra and is now on display in the Cairo Museum, the Röhss Museum and the Stockholm Museum.
Great Seljuks Carpets
During the Seljuk period, when unique carpets were produced, unfortunately there was no carpet that could survive until today. However, we know from the historical sources that rugs, textiles and carpet culture in Seljuks are very important. According to historical information, the Seljuk period carpets were destroyed during the Mongol invasion. However, according to miniature depictions, Seljuk carpets have the traces of traditional Turkish carpets. Based on the descriptions, it is possible to easily understand the importance of carpet making in the Seljuk period.
Anatolian Seljuk Carpets
The carpets of the Anatolian Seljuk period, which can still be traced in the Konya region today, came to the region after the Turkish conquest of Anatolia. Cities such as Konya, Sivas and Kayseri were known as carpet centers during the Anatolian Seljuk period. The Anatolian carpets that were developed and expanded in the Muslim regions, are also called as twenty-eight carpets in today’s world. It is possible to see the examples of these carpets in Konya Alaeddin Mosque, Beysehir Esrefoglu Mosque, Fustat, Tibet and Divrigi Ulu Mosque.
Principalities Period Carpets
It is possible to see the presence of Turkish carpets in the Principalities Period which started with the collapse of Anatolian Seljuk State.It is also called as “Animal Figured-Anatolian Carpet” because
carpets, in this period, were usually produced by using animal figures. Examples of Animal Figured Anatolian Carpets can be found in Konya Ethnography Museum. The carpet in this museum is known as the Rooster Carpet.
Ottoman Period Carpets
In the production of carpets in the Ottoman period, the principles of Seljuk carpet art were followed. Additionally, it is known that the Ottoman period carpet were used in the paintings by European painters. The carpets on which animal figures again were used, geometric patterns started to be used towards the end of 15th century. Turkish carpets, which reached the golden age in the 16th century, started to be produced in large quantities to meet the carpet needs of mosques and palaces. It is possible to come across traces of Ottoman architecture in the period carpets, also known as Ushak Carpets and Palace Carpets.
The carpets of the Ottoman period, unlike Anatolian carpets, are woven with the Iranian knot called sine. Figures such as tulips, carnations, hyacinths and pomegranate flowers were included in the palace carpets. Ushak carpets are famous in Manisa and Ushak. These carpets are also known as Smyrna Carpets because they are sent to Europe via İzmir port.
In the 17th century, Ushak carpets lost their fame and were replaced by Kula, Gördes, Bergama, Milas, Kırşehir, Ladik and Konya carpets.
The Meaning of Motifs on Turkish Carpets
Many different motifs have been used on Turkish carpets from past to present. These motifs are reflected in the carpets as the equivalent of the imagination and designs of the people who wove the carpet. Known as the oldest carpet in the world, the Pazyryk carpet reflects the culture of the cavalier nomad society of Asia. The Pazyryk carpet also represents happy life and religious beliefs.
One of the most common motifs in Turkish carpets is the scorpion motif. Scorpion; it represents underground powers and evils. In this respect, it has meanings such as illness, grief, death and pain. Hook, which is another motif, represents opposite poles such as men and women, mountain-valley and sea-wave. It also has meanings like marriage and plentifulness. Another motif most commonly used in Turkish carpets is finger and hand motifs. Hand and finger figures have healing, sacred and lucky features. In addition, hand and finger figures have the meaning of the spirit of the deceased, joy and happiness. The hair tie motif represents this desire of young girls. In addition, proliferation and birth are also expressed with the hair bond.
An another motif used in Turkish carpets is the tree of life. This motif, which we often come across, represents the steps between the sky and the world.
