Mid 19th Century Turkish Oushak Rug

Details

Description

The history of Turkish rugs and weavings is as complex as it is ancient. The production of fine rugs and … Read more The history of Turkish rugs and weavings is as complex as it is ancient. The production of fine rugs and carpets is a practice that dates back millennia. In certain societies and cultures across the world, rug weaving is of particular importance.

It is regarded as an art form of the highest order, as well a quintessentially significant cultural practice. This is especially true in Turkey, which has been one of the most important rug producing countries for centuries. With a complex history that involves warring dynasties, invading forces and contentious relations with its neighbors, Turkey is one of the most unique countries.

The modern day nation state of Turkey spans two continents. This is the result of the wide-reaching empires that have governed Asia Minor and the southeast of Europe from capitals which were located in modern Turkey and Persia.

Standing at the crossroads of the great civilizations of the east and west, Turkey has long acted as a natural go-between for European traders seeking to trade in exotic goods, as well as Persian traders seeking to do business with those in the west.

As the demand for fine rugs and carpets has waxed and waned over the centuries, so has the craft of artisanal rug weaving. It adopted new styles and patterns and introducing new rug weaving techniques as well.

More so than anything else, rug production in Turkey has been a flexible and dynamic enterprise, resulting in a corpus of material that is always exciting. The clear and uncontested historical record of Turkish rug production dates back to at least the thirteenth century, during the reign of the Seljuks. See less