KONYA Vintage Tulu Rug 190x116cm

Discover the unparalleled craftsmanship and rich tradition of the nomads from the Taurus Mountains with our unique Tülü rug. This exceptional rug, hand-woven from 100% pure sheep's wool, combines the warmth and comfort of traditional nomadic culture with timeless aesthetics. One of a kind!

Features:

• Material: 100% pure, hand-spun sheep's wool
• Size:
180x123cm
• Pile height: Long pile, approx. 5 cm
• Colour: Natural sheep's wool and earthy tones such as brown, beige and red, dyed with plant-based dyes
• Pattern: Abstract and geometric designs, inspired by nature and the daily life of nomads

Region of Origin

Anatolia makes up most of present-day Turkey. Rugs from this region are characterized by their indigenous, geometric patterns - with many symbols reflecting the life of a traditional way of living in harmony with nature. The heritage of an ancient, schematic culture of the Turkic peoples, passed down from generation to generation in the form of weaving art.

Symbolism

In Anatolia, a variety of symbols and patterns were used in traditional kilims and rugs, whose origins date back to the Neolithic period. For millennia, nomadic and village women have woven themes into their rugs that are significant to their lives. One of the main symbols is the figure of "Elibelinde," which represents the Cosmic Mother and her creative feminine power. Other motifs represent wishes, such as for happiness and children, while others serve to protect against threats such as wolves, scorpions, or the evil eye. Motifs were often combined when woven into patterns on kilims, thus acquiring multifaceted meanings. Thus, each rug tells its own story in the form of woven poetry.

Production

Our vintage kilims and rugs were completely handcrafted from the early 20th century to the 1970s. In the first step, the weaver sheared, washed, combed, and hand-spun the wool of her own sheep and goats into yarn.

Subsequently, the yarn bundles were dyed in a complex, manual process using pigments from nature or with alizarin dyes. Each individual shade had to be dyed separately. By dyeing independently, the weaver could let her creativity run wild and had control over the coloring, while the result was subject to a complex interplay of many factors, resulting in a play of different nuances of a color. This shading in the yarn or in the finished kilim or rug is called abrasch. After the yarn was finished, the warp threads were stretched as tightly as possible over the warp beam of the wooden loom. Only then could the weaver begin to weave her kilim. Every motif, every symbol, every area was woven by hand with great love and patience until the finished kilim was created and the ends of the kilim were knotted and often adorned with elaborately braided fringes. The production process often took several months, sometimes years, and was carried out either by a single weaver or by several women simultaneously. Often, grandmother, mother, sisters, other family members or neighbors sat at a loom at the same time and told each other stories or sang songs together while weaving. Weaving a kilim was not only for the purpose of subsequent use, but the entire process was a ritual, a ceremony, a form of meditation and prayer, an expression of the weaver's emotions, and a medium to pass on the stories of times gone by in the form of woven poetry. 

Material

Wool is the most commonly used fiber in the production of Anatolian rugs. It is not only abundant in Turkey, but it is also a natural and very high-quality material. In particular, hand-spun wool has particularly long fibers and a high content of lanolin (wool grease). This makes it very durable, long-lasting, and antibacterial. 

Natural sheep's wool is a living material that, through the influence of sun, air, and water and careful use, becomes softer and shinier over the years. A material that ages beautifully, is absolutely environmentally friendly, and free of harmful substances. It has the ability to self-clean and regenerate, brings warmth, a good indoor climate, and pleasant room acoustics to every home. In addition, sheep's wool and goat hair have the ability to ground our bodies and dissipate negative electrostatic charges. 

These positive properties prove particularly useful in large cities and when using electronic devices.

Cleaning and Restoration

The cleaning process of our vintage kilim rugs takes place cyclically and in harmony with nature. During the summer months, our rugs are first thoroughly washed with water and olive soap and then further cleaned for up to three months on our "Kilim Field" in Antalya with the power of the sun.

Sunning and airing removes stubborn stains and discolorations, odors, moths, and bacteria. 

This intensive and natural cleaning process allows us to completely dispense with environmentally harmful chemicals or health-damaging moth repellents.

After sunbathing in Antalya, our kilims and rugs are mechanically dusted and then sent to Istanbul. In our atelier in the old city of Sultanahmet, each rug is individually stretched into shape, the ends are re-knotted with a special technique so that the weave cannot unravel. Holes or discolored areas are re-woven true to the original. The complete cleaning and restoration process takes between six months and two years, depending on the kilim.

With loving treatment and careful care, our kilims and rugs can last for many more generations. Our rugs do not require a lot of care, but they do require the right kind. We recommend that you vacuum or beat your rug regularly and carefully to remove dirt and grime. It is sufficient to vacuum your rug once or twice a month. Too frequent vacuuming can cause the knots and fibers to wear out faster. If your vacuum cleaner has a brush attachment, use it instead of a rotary vacuum.

Every few months, you should flip your rug over and vacuum the back to remove dirt from the underside of the rug. It's also helpful to rotate your rug once a year to ensure even wear.

We recommend having your rug professionally hand-washed every 3 to 5 years. Please do not have it steam or dry cleaned - this will certainly damage the rug! Choose a rug cleaner that uses pH-neutral shampoo or olive soap for hand washing. The soap is worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush and then thoroughly rinsed. If you have any questions or need assistance in choosing a rug cleaner, please feel free to contact us. We work with trusted oriental rug cleaners and restorers and can pass on discounted rates to our customers.

A stain, now what?
Blot the stain with a dry cloth until it is dry. If necessary, you can dab with a very slightly damp cloth and a little olive soap. Please do not wash your rug yourself. If the stain does not come out, contact a specialist for oriental rugs immediately for cleaning. Adding a lot of liquid can make stain removal more difficult and even worsen them. This is because moisture spreads along the fibers and can get trapped in rugs with horizontal fibers (like flat weaves).

Dried food residues can be easily scraped off or brushed out.