Rugs made in Turkey have long been prized for their elegance. Their rich colors, ranging from ruby reds to misted blues, and entwined botanical designs reflect the country’s diverse heritage.

Etsy is one of the best places to score a vintage Turkish rug, but Emily recommends checking out other sites like Craigslist and estate sales as well.

Kilim

Unlike traditional pile rugs, Kilims are made from thin strands of wool that are tightly intertwined and weaved on looms. The process takes time to make a Kilim rug. This unique weaving technique is what makes it one of the most popular styles among collectors. These flat woven carpets range in size from small area rugs to large statement pieces that can transform your living room.

Typically, Kilims are heavy on patterns and prints. However, this vintage Turkish rug showcases a subtle striped design that adds quiet strength to spaces. This flat weave turkish rug is also reversible, giving it more durability and making it a great choice for homeowners who want to switch up their decor regularly.

Since Kilims take less time to weave, they tend to be more affordable than pile-weave rugs. The intricate patterns and simple designs in these rugs were based on the beliefs of nomadic tribesmen. They often symbolized hope for safety from evil, love, and prosperity.

Gabbeh

Gabbeh is the term that describes a variety of tribal rugs whose designs have a certain improvisational quality. They are hand-knotted and have a coarse, low-density pile. Their color comes from all-natural vegetable dyes. This allows the wool used to retain its lanolin and gives them their beautiful sheen.

In their earlier stages, Gabbeh demonstrates the simplicity of nomadic tribes as they wove them without any pre-design and mapping. They used all natural colors of their handspun wool to create a rug. The motifs were often random and sometimes represented some sort of tribal folklore.

Over time, the weavers gradually improved their weaving skills and began to incorporate more color. They also improved their knotting techniques. This allowed them to create a rug with a symmetrical pattern. Today, the Gabbeh rug has come to represent a more refined version of a traditional tribal carpet with its own unique style. They have a tighter weave and a shorter pile than other Persian rugs, yet their quality is undeniable.

Antique

Antique Turkish rugs are sought-after floor coverings among decor fans. Their lustrous hues and intricate patterns tempt rug aficionados and collectors across the globe. Large Turkish rugs are perfect warmth bringers and space definers for ample interiors.

They are lauded for their exotic beauty and sumptuous quality, dating back to the 13th century. Marco Polo was a fan, but their fame as treasured commodities and artistically influential pieces reached a crescendo during the Ottoman reign. That period brought advancements in design and weaving techniques such as the popular Memling Gul pattern, Ghirlandaio and Crivelli star designs, and niched prayer motifs.

Kayseri vintage rugs were one of the first wave of Oriental antique rugs to be exported into Europe, where their small repeating patterns worked themselves into iconic paintings by such European masters as Memling, Lotto and Hans Holbein. Unlike modern synthetics, antique turkish rugs use natural dyes from animals, plants and minerals to produce their vibrant colors.

Distressed

A distressed vintage Turkish rug is a great way to add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your home. It’s a timeless piece that can be used in a variety of settings, from traditional living rooms to contemporary bedrooms.

Vintage Turkish rugs are coveted for their rich colors and distinctive designs. Many feature entwined botanical patterns and rhythmic geometries. They also boast a range of textures and warm earth tones that are influenced by both natural elements and cultural preferences.

Typically, they are hand-knotted. Some are naturally aged while others are overdyed. This process involves re-dyeing a rug to bring out its original colors or highlight certain features of the design. It’s a common practice in Turkey, where household items are fixed rather than discarded.

Some of the most popular styles of Turkish rugs include kilim, which have a plain slit-tapestry weave that leaves a gap between sections woven with different colored yarns; sumak, made with weft wrapping for a sturdier flat-woven carpet; and cicim, which are decorated with extra brocade techniques.