CARPETBoth flat and pile carpets are woven on a loom. Both

vertical and horizontal looms have been used in the

production of European and Oriental carpets in some

colors.

The warp threads are set up on the frame of the loom

before weaving begins. A number of weavers may work

together on the same carpet. A row of knots is

completed and cut. The knots are secured with (usually

one to four) rows of weft.

There are several styles of knotting, but the two main types of knot are the symmetrical (also called Turkish

or Ghiordes) and asymmetrical (also called Persian or Senna).

Early CarpetsThe hand-knotted pile carpet probably originated in southern Central Asia between the 3rd and 2nd millennium BCE, The earliest surviving pile carpet in the world is called the "Pazyryk Carpet", dating from the 5th-4th century BCE. It was excavated by Sergei Ivanovich Rudenko in 1949.

The earliest group of surviving knotted pile carpets was produced

under Seljuk rule in the first half of the 13th century on the Anatolian

peninsula. The eighteen extant works are often referred to as the

Konya Carpets. The central field of these large carpets is a repeated

geometrical pattern. The borders are ornamented with a large-

scale, stylized, angular calligraphy. (Kufic)

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Anatolian carpets in the 15th and 16th centuries are best known through European paintings. The Dutch

painter Vermeer represented Anatolian carpets predominantly to indicate the high economic and social

status of the persons in his paintings. Anatolian carpets, as they were known, were too valuable to be put on

floors, except under the feet of the Holy Mother and royalty.

The Anatolian carpets have lively colors, motifs, and patterns, forasmuch as traditionally women have woven

the carpets, this is one art form that is rarely appreciated as being the work of a known or a specific artist.

Anatolian Carpet

Carpets, whether knotted or flat woven (kilim) are among the

best known art forms produced by Turks. They have protected

themselves from the extremes of the cold weather by covering

the floors, and sometimes walls and doorways, with carpets.

These are handmade, of wool or sometimes cotton, with

occasional additions of silk. Even technological advances which

enable factory-made carpets has not stopped the production of

rug weaving at cottage-industry level. Although synthetic dyes

have been in use for the last 150 years, hand made carpets are

still considered far superior to industrial carpeting.

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A stylized female figure derived from the Anatolian mother goddness figurines and used a symbol of motherhood and fertility.

A crescent-shaped symbol of fertility, heroism, power and masculinity.

A motif composed of hands on hips and Ram's Horn motifs arranged to include variours protective symbols. Stylized representations of multi-grained plants such as wheat, barley, pomegranate, poppy, melon, figs, grapes and mulberry are also used to indicate fertility.

A stylized representation used to commemorate a person, to express the hope for having a child, or to imply the expectation of a baby.

Hands on Hips

Ram's Horn

Fertility

Human Figure

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A motif, evolved as a symbolic representation of the head ornament used by the bride in the wedding ceremonies, which indicates the desire to get married.

A motif resembling the shape of an earring, an indispensable wedding present, used to express the desire for marriage.

A cuff-shaped motif symbolizing the continuity of the family union, the devotion of lovers and the hope that they should always stay together.

Hair Band

Earring

Fetter

A mythological theme where a winged creature stylized with feet of a lion and tail of a snake is believed to be the master of air and water, the cause of lunar eclipse, the gurad of treasures and secret objects as well as the tree of life. A related theme is the fight of the dragon and the Phoenix which is believed to produce fertile rains of spring and where the dragon is stylized as a cloud.

Dragon

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A motif used to Express happiness and fertility, based on the fact that the six pointed star, generally known as the Solomon's Seal, is used to symbolize the womb of the mother goddess figurines. The star motifs with eight of more points are used on the Anatolian weaves.

A motif stylized in the form of a water container, symbolizing purity and purification and used also as a symbol of pregnance.

A theme indicating the importance of water in the life of mankind. Motifs in the forms of meanders, clouds and even vases and ewers are all different expressions of the same theme. The pattern of running water varies according to the material on which it is applied. When carved on stone, it assumes an angular shape, while it is curvilinear or triangular on weaves.

Star

Ewer

Running Water

Flower

A motif generally used on the borders of kilims, composed of stylized roses, carnations, tulips and hyacinths which resemble the garden of Eden. Tulip is also used to express the expectation of a son.

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A motif derived from a plant which is believed to be capable of warding of the evil eye. The fact that the term “like a burdock” means full of flowers, account for the use of the motif as a symbol of abundance.

Motifs which are composed of five lines or five dots are based on the Anatolian belief that the number five, i.e. the number of fingers on a hand, serves as a protection against evil eye. Hand motif is used against spell and evil eye, where the comb motif is related with the protection of birth and marriage.

Amulet: a motif in the shape of the written charms which are believed to have a magical and religious power to protect the possessor form dangerous external factors and generally placed in triangular cases.

Evil Eye: a motif used to reduce the effect of the evil glance, which is believed to be a power possessed by some people that cause harm, injury, misfortune and even death.

A stylized eye motif derived from the belief that the best source to prevent the harms caused by the evil glance is human eye itself.

Burdock

Hand, Finger, Comb

Amulet and Evil Eye

Eye

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A motif which is used against evil eye and believed to reduce the power of the evil glance by dividing it into four pieces.

A motif used against evil eye.

A theme which dates back to the earliest history of mankind. The motif is used with protective purposes, while a black snake is the symbol of happiness and fertility.

Cross

Hook

Snake

A motif which symbolizes the trousseau chest of a young girl and stands for the desire to get married and having a child. In some cases the motif symbolizes death and coffin.

Chest

A motif used as a protection against the scorpion, sometimes used to represent a dragon.

Scorpion

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A motif used as a protection against the wolves, which is the primary treat for the cattle breeding nomadic and seminomadic tribes.

A theme which stands for the men's thrive for immortality or the hope for life after death. Stylization of various plants, such as cypress, date, palm, pomegranate, fig, olive, grapes, beech and oak, are used to symbolize the tree of life.

A motif which is loaded with various meanings, ranging from good luck to bad luck; happiness, joy and love, the soul of the dead, women, longing, an expectation of news, pregnancy, power and strength…

A motif inherited from the Far-East, generally known by the name Ying-Yang and used to indicate the harmony between man and women.

Wolf's Mouth, Wolf's Track

Tree of Life

Bird

Love and unison

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