Turkish Rugs
When Turkish, nomadic tribes migrated toward the west from Central Asia, they
brought their carpet weaving tradition with them. They designed and stitched images that
represented their lives and the conditions in which they lived. Early Ottoman rugs and carpets became even
more developed; they were exported to parts of Europe and also given as
diplomatic gifts. The art of carpet weaving was thought to have been introduced to Turkish territory through traveling, nomadic tribes that practiced the art, like those that weaved the Pazyryk rug. The art was initially. truly spread/popularized during the reign of Cyrus the Great.
There were two main types of rugs, one of which was known as “Lotto” carpets which were named Lorenzo Lotto, an Italian painter who often depicted them in his art. Lotto carpet has symmetrical knots, geometric motifs and Kufic borders on red ground. Turkish weavers typically utilized the Turkish knot.
The other group of carpets was named “Holbein” because they were often seen Young Hans Holbein’s paintings. These “Holbein” carpets were then divided into two categories based on their design. “Small Holbein-type” carpets are decorated with octagons and small diamonds while “Large Holbein-type” carpets are predominately a square with a large octagonal medallion on the inside and both have a Kufic border. These “Holbein” rugs were considered the “Ottoman Carpets” of the sixteenth century and were later made to be hung in new mosques.
The Pazyryk rug, dated to the 5th century B.C, depicts human and animal figures, as Islam was not introduced to turkey until Seljuk times (approx. 11th century). The post Islamic rugs, like those in Persia, avoid human and animal figures as per the religious ban; however, carpets in pre-Islamic times, i.e. the Pazyryk rug, did indeed display such figures.
Common materials used to weave these rugs are: wool, cotton, and silk.
There were two main types of rugs, one of which was known as “Lotto” carpets which were named Lorenzo Lotto, an Italian painter who often depicted them in his art. Lotto carpet has symmetrical knots, geometric motifs and Kufic borders on red ground. Turkish weavers typically utilized the Turkish knot.
The other group of carpets was named “Holbein” because they were often seen Young Hans Holbein’s paintings. These “Holbein” carpets were then divided into two categories based on their design. “Small Holbein-type” carpets are decorated with octagons and small diamonds while “Large Holbein-type” carpets are predominately a square with a large octagonal medallion on the inside and both have a Kufic border. These “Holbein” rugs were considered the “Ottoman Carpets” of the sixteenth century and were later made to be hung in new mosques.
The Pazyryk rug, dated to the 5th century B.C, depicts human and animal figures, as Islam was not introduced to turkey until Seljuk times (approx. 11th century). The post Islamic rugs, like those in Persia, avoid human and animal figures as per the religious ban; however, carpets in pre-Islamic times, i.e. the Pazyryk rug, did indeed display such figures.
Common materials used to weave these rugs are: wool, cotton, and silk.
Statens Historiska Museum. "The Marby Rug." n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2009. "Early Ottoman Period Historical Turkish Rugs and Carpets, XIV-XV Centuries." N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
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The Turkish Knot. Digital image. The Kinds of Rug Knots. Jacobsen Oriental Rugs, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
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