Konya carpets

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In 1292, Marco Polo was the first to make mention of the Konya carpets in writing when he called them the most beautiful in the world.^[1]^[2] Konya carpets are named for the region in which they were made. Renamed from the Greek “Iconium” when the Seljuk Sultans of Rum made it their capital, Konya is one of the largest, oldest and continuously occupied cities in Asia Minor.^[2] When Polo wrote of the Konyas, he had probably seen them in manufactories that were attached to the Seljuk courts.^[1] In the early 20th century, large carpets were found in the Alaadin Mosque in Konya; they are now housed in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul.^[1] Scholars and collectors alike, primarily for their bold tribal designs and magnificent color combinations not to mention their rarity, covet Konya rugs.

Classification

Konya rugs being made today include those coming from surrounding regions: Dauac, Kesimuslu, Karapinan, Obruk and Taspinar.^[1] All of these regions are included in "Greater Konya", although distinctions can be made between types. Nomadic rugs falling under the Konya region are also known as Yörüks. In a sense Konyas are the Turkish counterparts to Caucasian Kazakhs, though they are generally older and far rarer, and are no less sought after by collectors.

Wool

Konya rugs are prized for their luxurious wool, which comes from the rural areas surrounding the city. The wool from these regions is known to be some of the richest worldwide.^[2]

Colors

Older pieces are characterized by the restraint towards color combinations and their use of earth tones (most notably: soft yellow, terracotta and browns). The wefts of the Konya rugs are always red, distinguishing them from other Persian carpets. The Nomadic pieces within this genre usually have a foundation of dark wool or goat hair.^[2]

Design and Structure

Incorporated within Konya carpets are hexagonal and basic figures. These patterns are tribal motifs. Geometries are either arranged in neat rows or staggered throughout the field. A common geometric motif is the "Memling gul", a geometric medallion patterned throughout the carpet.^{[citation needed]} These rugs also feature a fairly loose knotting technique.^{[citation needed]}

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Neff, Ivan C. and Carol V. Maggs. Dictionary of Oriental Rugs. London: AD. Donker LTD, 1977. ISBN 978-0-949937-35-3
↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Eiland, Murray L. Oriental Rugs.Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1976. ISBN 978-0-8212-0643-0

v t e Rugs and carpets

Rugs	Abadeh Afghan Ahar Alcaraz Arak Ardabil Azerbaijani Bakhtiari Bakshaish Balouch Bessarabian Bidjar Borujerd Braided Caucasian Dhurrie Eagle Flokati Heriz Isfahan Jozan Karadagh Kashan Kashmir Kerman Kilim Kuba Kurdish Lilihan Mashhad Nain Navajo Oriental Pakistani Petate Qom Rya Sarouk Scandinavia Seraband Sardrud Seychour Shiraz Sweden Tabriz Tibetan Turkmen Uzbek Julkhyr Uzbek Napramach Varamin War Yürük

Carpets	Ardabil Armenian Baharestan Bakshaish Bellini Berber Bergama Bessarabian Bradford Caucasian Coronation Chiprovtsi Crivelli Fitted Gabbeh Hereke Karabakh Konya Kuba Holbein Lilihan Lotto Memling Milas Persian Pirot Red Sarouk Turkish Ushak Yomut Oriental carpets in Renaissance painting

People	Sir Francis Crossley Arthur T. Gregorian Arshag Karagheusian Latif Karimov Thomas Whitty

Places	Axminster Wilton Carpet Museum of Iran

Cleaning	Carpet cleaning Dry carpet cleaning Floorcloth

Fabrics	Frieze Shag

Manufacture and installation	Ghiordes knot Knot density Rubia Rug hooking Rug making Tack strip Underlay

Manufacturers	A & M Karagheusian Axminster Carpets Brintons Carpet One Cormar Carpets Dilmaghani Savonnerie manufactory

Decoration	Pictorial carpet

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