Rugs
Rugs weaving traditions in the area originated with the nomadic tribes of Central Asia. Nomadic rugss are woven on portable looms, which limited the size of a rugs as well as the tightness of its weave. The main purpose was clearly more functional than artistic. Weaving created not only rugss, but also items such as saddlebags, kilims, and wall hangings.
Women continue to be the weavers and in many villages rugs weaving has social, practical and economic dimensions. Daughters are taught to weave from a very early age in hopes that this will make them more marriageable. The Kiz rugss refer to rugss made in homes or villages by young women of marriageable age for their grooms.
It is interesting to note that only women weave rugss and kilims, while men repair them. Male rugs weavers are not accepted in Turkish culture. Our group visited a rugs repair factory, a "rug hospital". While the majority of employees are men, there are also a few women who work there.
Simply click through to the Area Rugs product pages of interest and click on the items to add to your personal shopping basket.