Caring For Vintage Turkish Rugs
Vintage turkish rugs are not only beautiful accent pieces for any room, they’re also steeped in cultural heritage and history. They have been used as basic floor coverings, prayer rugs and wall tapestries, wedding dowries, gifts and precious family heirlooms for thousands of years.
These handmade textiles are woven using natural materials such as wool, silk and cotton. They also feature organic dyes sourced from plants and insects, resulting in rich and vibrant colors that last longer than synthetic dyes. Authentic Turkish rugs are a treasured addition to any home, but they require specialized care to keep them looking their best.
Aside from their hand-woven construction, a Turkish rug’s color palette and design motifs can be an indicator of its authenticity. The colors of a traditional Turkish rug reflect themes of spiritual practices and beliefs, tribal culture, familial connections and the natural world. Common motifs include the tree of life, the evil eye, floral elements, symbolic animals and masculine and feminine symbols.
The design motifs of a vintage Turkish rug can also reveal the region it hails from and its weaving tradition. For example, a Bergama rug might feature geometric patterns and bright colors, Hereke rugs may showcase elegant curve-linear designs worthy of an Ottoman palace, and Oushak rugs are known for their soft pastel hues.
Another way to tell whether a rug is authentic is by its knot count and density. A rug with a higher knot count and density is typically more detailed, and it shows that the weaver spent a lot of time on the rug’s creation.
Lastly, it’s important to check a rug for signs of wear and tear. A well-made vintage rug should be in excellent condition and should have no major stains or tears. If there are any, these should be professionally cleaned before attempting to clean the rug yourself.
Aside from identifying the rug’s origin, color and knot count, it is also crucial to understand how a vintage turkish rug is made so that you can enjoy it for a long time. Hand-knotted rugs like Turkish rugs are incredibly delicate and can be damaged by rough handling or improper cleaning methods.
The first step to caring for a vintage Turkish rug is shearing it to even out the pile and help it look “distressed” without damaging the carpet. After shearing, a vintage rug should be washed to remove any stains and residue. Then, the rug should be dry cleaned to ensure it’s free from any remaining odors. Lastly, the rug should be put on a flat surface and left to air dry for about a week. This allows the fibers to re-twist and re-stretch, which gives the rug its original, beautiful look. This process is especially necessary for older rugs that are a bit more worn and textured. The rug can then be put back on the floor and enjoyed for years to come. A well-cared for vintage Turkish rug will stand the test of time and become a family heirloom.
