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 one-of-a-kind rug, hand-woven from 100% pure sheep's wool, combines the warmth and coziness of traditional nomadic culture with timeless aesthetics. Unique!

Features:

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

Region of Origin

Anatolia makes up the majority of modern-day Turkey. Rugs from this region are characterized by their indigenous, geometric patterns – with many symbols reflecting a traditional way of life in harmony with nature. It is the legacy 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, with origins dating back to the Neolithic period. For millennia, nomadic and village women have woven themes significant to their lives into their rugs. 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 like wolves, scorpions, or the evil eye. Motifs were often combined when woven into patterns on kilims, thus acquiring multifaceted meanings. In this way, each rug tells its own story in the form of woven poetry.

Production

Our vintage kilims and rugs were completely handcrafted from the beginning of the 20th century until 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 an elaborate, manual process using pigments from nature or Alizarin dyes. Each individual shade had to be dyed separately. By dyeing herself, the weaver could give free rein to her creativity and had control over the coloring; at the same time, the result was subject to a complex interplay of many factors, resulting in a play of colors with different nuances of a single shade. This shading in the yarn or in the finished kilim or rug is called abrash. After the yarn was finished, the warp threads were pulled as taut as possible over the warp beam of the wooden loom. Only then could the weaver begin weaving her kilim. Every motif, every symbol, every area was woven by hand with great love and patience until the finished kilim emerged and the ends of the kilim were knotted and often adorned with intricately 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. Thus, grandmother, mother, sisters, other family members, or neighbors often sat together at a loom, telling each other stories or singing songs while weaving. The weaving of a kilim served not only for 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 for passing on stories of past times 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 proportion 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 property of self-cleaning and regenerating, brings warmth, a good indoor climate, and pleasant room acoustics into every home. In addition, sheep's wool and goat hair have the property of grounding our bodies and dissipating negative electrostatic charges. 

These positive properties prove particularly beneficial 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. In the summer months, our rugs are first thoroughly washed with water and olive soap and then further cleaned for up to three months using the power of the sun on our "Kilim Field" in Antalya.

Sun exposure and airing remove stubborn stains and discolorations, odors, moths, and bacteria. 

This intensive and natural cleaning process allows us to completely avoid 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 to prevent the weave from unraveling. 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 attentive care, our kilims and rugs can last for many more generations. Our rugs do not require a lot of special care, but they do need the right kind of care. We recommend that you regularly and carefully vacuum or beat your rug 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 you have an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, use it instead of a rotating brush.

Every few months, you should turn your rug over and vacuum the back to remove dirt from the underside of the rug. It is 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 take it for steam or dry cleaning – this will certainly damage the rug! Choose a rug cleaner who uses a 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 offer our customers discounted rates.

A stain, what now?
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.