Turkish rugs (also referred to as Anatolian rugs) are, arguably, the
rugs that started it all. These carpets were among the first wave of
Oriental antique carpets to be exported into Europe. The vintage
Turkish rugs were prized commodities and artistically influential
pieces. The designs of Turkish rugs such as the iconic guls, prayer
rugs and small repeating patterns found on these carpets, worked
their way into the iconic paintings of the European masters,
including Memling, Lotto, Bellini, Hans Holbein and many others.
These painters were inspired so much by Turkish rugs and the
design motifs they feature that the artists have lent their names to
some of these famous Turkish patterns. One of the most famous
artists that incorporated rugs from Turkey in his painting was the
great and iconic 16th century painter Hans Holbein.
The styles of Turkish rugs varies widely. Bergama rugs, for example,
produced tribal-influenced Turkoman pieces, Hereke rugs feature
elegant curve-linear patterns worthy of Ottoman palaces and the
most well known of all rug weaving centers in Turkey – Oushak
produces decorative room-sized carpets that are revered, above all
else, for their soft pastel-coloration.
The Romanian master weaver – Theodor Tuduc, also produced
exceptional carpets. His rugs were based on existing styles and
designs from the Caucasus, Turkey as well as Persia. Antique
Turkish rugs are elegant and beautifully varied in look, texture,
quality and design.
Turkish Rugs are a major component of the carpet weaving
traditions in the Middle East. It was largely the Turkish people and
related groups from Central Asia who introduced the knotted pile
carpet to the Islamic world. The largest and oldest collection of
early Oriental rugs comes from Turkey. The so-called geometric or
Seljuk carpets from the thirteenth century have been well
preserved in the mosques of Konya and other towns in Central
Anatolia. While most antique Persian rugs are fine and intricate, the
antique Turkish rugs are extremely desirable by interior decorators.
Since many of the antique rugs from Turkey boast larger scale
design patterns that are usually also set against softer colors, they
do have a very decorative appeal. The early Turkish rugs are also
some of the most collectible rugs in today’s market due to their
more primitive designs and the fact that not many were produced.