History
The art of rug tying began at least 3,000 years ago, but the exact region of origin is not known. Historians do agree that the type of rug tying that has existed in our millenium was practiced and spread by the Turks. In fact, the early Turkish artisans migrated with their tribes into the areas of Persia (Iran), Anatolia, southern Siberia, and parts of Turkestan and the Caucasus -- all areas famous for their carpets. The 'Pazyryk Rug' from the Altai Mountain area of Siberia is the oldest surviving example of woolen piled weaving, dating from the 5th century BC.In the nomadic tribes of Middle Asia, the knotting technique for carpet weaving became very common, and after the 11th century it was brought to Central Anatolia by the Seljuk Turks. The Seljuks, along with other Turkish tribes, then spread the technique to Western Anatolia. Early Seljuk rugs utilized geometric, angular patterns.
During the same time, Persian rug makers were using curvilinear designs, such as spiraling vines and circular medallions. When the capital of the Persian empire came under Ottoman control during the 17th century, carpet weavers and designers were brought back to the Turkish capital of Constantinople, along with the Persian design motifs.
The major carpet making regions in Turkey - Ushak, Ghiordes, Bergama, Kula, Kirshehir, Hereke, Konya. Milas, Sivas, Kayseri, Ladik and Isparta - each developed their own individual designs and color schemes. The rugs from Ushak, for example, are known for their wonderful 'star' designs."
Turkish rugs and carpets were the first Oriental rugs imported into Europe. In 1271, the famous adventurer Marco Polo wrote upon his travels through Turkey that "the best and handsomest carpets in the world are wrought here". Evidence of their esteem can be seen in paintings by such European masters as Giotto (1267-1337), Hans Holbein the Younger (1478-1543), and Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1556). Carpets are often shown draped over tables and at the feet of kings and queens. Holbein made so much use of a predominantly red Turkish carpet that they became known as "Holbeins".
Materials
Carpets can be made from wool, silk, or cotton, often in combination. Carpets are woven on a loom, consisting of a simple frame that provides tension to the base vertical threads (the "warp") onto which the pile threads are tied. Excess warp at the ends of a rug or carpet forms the fringe. A set of horizontal threads (the "weft") are worked into the warp by weaving a ball of thread through the warp threads. The weft threads are pushed firmly against the pile knots to hold them in place. The warp and weft creates a flatweave foundation called a "kilim". Many nomadic tribes create patterned kilim for use as bed covers, bags, and animal harnesses. Kilim provide a more flexible alternative to pile carpets and are generally less expensive and quicker to produce.
Types of Knots
There are two types of knots in carpet making: Turkish (or Ghiordes) and Persian (or Senneh). The Turkish knot is symmetrical, with the thread wrapping around two adjacent warp threads and being drawn up between them. The asymmetrical Persian knot is formed by wrapping a thread under and around one warp thread, and back under and up around a second thread.
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