| Turkish Rugs |
Turkish and Anatolian rugs and kilims are well known for their deep colors and their natural, animal and floral designs.
Here are a few things to look for when purchasing a Turkish rug:
# Machine or hand-woven (tufted).
# Density, measured in knots per square inch. This can range from 40-1,000, with costs rising along with the knot count.
# Natural or synthetic dyes. Natural dye is normally extracted from vegetables while artificial dyes such as aniline and chrome are also used.
# Types of cleaning and maintenance required, the level of stain resistance and whether an underlay is recommended.
# Natural or synthetic fibers. Hand-tufted rugs are often made of natural fibers while machine made rugs can be made of either natural or man-made products.
Traditionally, Turkish rugs were woven using wool and silk and occasionally cotton. Synthetic rugs that replicate Turkish patterns are also common today, and are made from olefin (polypropylene), nylon, polyester, acrylic or cotton blends. Prices start at around $100 for smaller rugs (5'3"x7'9").
A kilim is another type of Turkish rug that is pileless, often reversible and is different from a normal rug in that it is flat-woven. Kilims can come in different sizes, colors and patterns and can be made using a blending of materials such as, wool, cotton and wool, and silk. Kilim motifs are reflective of the rich cultural elements of Turkish society. A new hand-woven wool kilim (4'6'' X 5'8'') can start at around $200.
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