On the hunt for vintage Turkish rugs for sale? Whether you’re looking to add bohemian allure to a nursery or bedroom, or you’re searching for a unique way to bring color into a small kitchen or bathroom, vintage Turkish rugs are an inspired option. Handmade Turkish rugs are a designer go-to and for good reason. In addition to their durable construction, they showcase unique color pairings that can effectively tie together a room.
At Chairish, we make it easy to discover the perfect antique Turkish rugs for your project. For starters, our edit of vintage Turkish rugs is hand-curated, meaning every rug has been assessed by our in-house style experts to ensure it possesses the utmost quality and style. With Chairish, you won’t have to waste time sorting through less-than-impressive rugs. Each one is guaranteed to showcase designer-grade style in terms of both palette and construction. To make our collection of vintage Turkish rugs even simpler to shop, use our custom filters. Color filters can be used to quickly view rugs that adhere to a particular palette. Use them when shopping for something specific such as a pink and orange Turkish rug or a blue and pink Turkish rug.
The History of Turkish Rugs
Turkish kilims and rugs were originally designed to be worn and function similar to pelts in order to ward off cold. Over time they were adapted to also be used as floor coverings. Turkish carpets date back thousands of years and are among the earliest examples of hand-knotted rugs in the world. Although they bear the name “Turkish,” Turkish rugs are produced in multiple countries, including India and Pakistan. Generally speaking, rugs that are produced in Turkey are considered to be more valuable than those produced in other regions.
It is also common to see Turkish rugs referred to as Anatolian rugs. To clarify, Anatolian Turkish rugs date back to the 13th century. They’re rugs that were woven by tribes located in the part of Turkey that Asia now recognizes as Asia Minor. Primitive Anatolian rugs were primarily woven by the Seljuks, a nomadic tribe who migrated from central Asia to what is now modern-day Turkey. Turkish rugs made their way to Europe during the Middle Ages as trade opened up between East and West. As a testament to their popularity, dozens of the era’s most eminent artists such as Velasquez and Vermeer incorporated Anatolian rugs into their paintings.
How are Turkish Rugs Made?
Turkish rugs are made of woven—or knotted—wool or silk thread. On a loom, vertical threads (also known as the warp) are bound with horizontal threads (the weft). This practice results in reversible rugs. There are two types of knots, known as the Gördes knot, (which wraps around two threads to create a durable textile) and the Sine knot (an asymmetrical knot which wraps around only one thread to allow more mobility with patterns). All Anatolian Turkish rugs are made with the Gördes knot (also known as the “Turkish knot”).
While it’s true that a rug with a higher density of knots indicates a higher level of craftsmanship, generally rugs with 150 to 250 knots per square inch are more than adequate for use on the floor. It’s also recommended that those looking for a Turkish kilim or rug to use on the floor avoid 100% silk construction. Silk kilims and rugs can slip on the floor, especially when used without a rug pad. Even partial wool construction helps to build traction. Traditionally, wool and silk threads were dyed with plant and insect-based dyes. Around the time of the Industrial Revolution, that practice was phased out in favor of aniline dyes which were also soon replaced with chromium dyes due to aniline dyes’ propensity for running when wet or fading.
Related Collections
- New & Custom Turkish Rugs
- Erin Gates Rugs
- 11x18 Rugs
- Christopher Guy Rugs
- Space Age Rugs
- Persian Rugs
- Art Deco Rugs
- Native American Rugs
- Scandinavian Rugs
- Italian Rugs
- British Colonial Rugs
- Mid-Century Modern Rugs
- Art Nouveau Rugs
- Rya Rugs
- Karastan Rugs
- Chinoiserie Rugs
- African Rugs
- Braided Rugs
- Spanish Rugs
- Moroccan Rugs
- Southwestern Rugs
- Kilim Rugs
- Sheepskin Rugs
- Round Rugs
- Chinese Rugs