Old Kayseri Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet

About the Item

This is a Central Anatolian Old Kilim from the Kayseri region with a rare and beautiful color composition. The earliest recorded occupation of Kayseri dates back to Hellenistic times, and although there is no evidence to date, the town was probably built on an early Hittite site as there are many such settlements close by - Kanesh, the first Hittite capital, was situated north-east of Kayseri, at Kultepe. During the first century AD the town was named Caesarea by the Roman emperor Tiberius, later becoming famous as the birthplace of St Basil the Great who was one of the Church Fathers. From the thirteenth to the fifteenth century there were many changes of rulers, amongst whom were the Egyptian Mamelukes until finally, the Ottomans resumed their initial control. Kayseri was once the capital of Cappadocia, being situated at the foot of Mount Erciyes, one of the two volcanoes (the other being Melendes Dagi, near Nigde) that erupted spreading hot volcanic ash over the region, which then hardened into a porous stone called tuff. Over the passage of time erosion occurred leaving strange mushroom-shaped pedestals known as 'fairy chimneys', or peribaca. The tuff, being soft, was also easily hollowed out from the shelter, and during invasions, the Cappadocians would retreat underground. Christians also found the caverns suitable for their churches, particularly during the Arab invasions of the seventh century. These churches, complete with wall paintings, caves, and other subterranean dwellings, were inhabited by the descendants of the ancient Cappadocians until early this century. Beyond the valleys of the weird rock formations and caves of the Urgup region, the terrain changes into vast sweeps of open country, which end with the impressive snow-clad peak of Mount Erciyes, on the way to Kayseri. North-east of Kayseri are two Seljuk hans or caravanserais, which have been well restored. Kayseri people are known throughout Turkey as being very slick in business, and many jokes are made about them. The caravanserai in Kayseri is situated next to the bazaar and is now used by many kilim and carpet traders. Within the thick walls there is set a small metal door, behind which is a safe where visitors could leave money and other valuables overnight. Kayseri people still weave kilims, and many are made specifically for the export market. It is also the only region producing silk kilims, which are generally loosely worked in slitweave. Other kilims are made in natural wool colors, such as white, brown, grey, and white, again in slitweave. Many compartment-type kilims are woven featuring a square emblem repeated three or four times down the field, according to length. These kilims generally have two main borders and a plethora of small infill motifs which decorate the rest of the field. Another design format features large central medallions of varying shapes; again most of the field is decorated with small motifs. The borders vary in number, and the colors are of an autumnal palette.

Dimensions:

Width: 66.93 in (170 cm)Length: 84.26 in (214 cm)

Style:

Kilim (In the Style Of)

Materials and Techniques:

Natural Fiber,Wool,Hand-Knotted,Hand-Woven

Place of Origin:

Turkey

Period:

Mid-20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1950