Turkey Hereke Silk - 0.62 x 0.56

Rug weaving started in Turkey since 13th century with the arrival of the Seljuks , who were nomadic tribes from central Asia. In Ottoman Turkey, weaving patterns and techniques changed in the early sixteenth century after conquests in Persia and Egypt. Anatolia had been known for carpets with stylized animal and geometric designs, but with these new cultural contacts, carpets designed around a central medallion and with flowing saz-style vegetation came into vogue. Similar motifs also appeared on book covers, textiles, and in manuscript borders. The style of these Ottoman court rugs, first produced in Istanbul, then spread to other weaving centers,but never fully overtook the various regional carpet traditions. Caucasian and Armenian carpets retained their customary geometric patterns remained popular.