Nomadic Textile Art from
Central Anatolia 17th-20th century

More textile culture has been preserved in Anatolia than in any other country because flatweaves and carpets were traditionally donated to the mosque.
Looking at millennia of Central Anatolian history we realize that there was always continual coming and going, whereas some of the population had been sedentary for ages, cultivating their ancient traditions.
Between the 16th and the 18th centuries most of the big Anatolian caravan routes and their bordering settlements were controlled by the Ottoman central government. Away from these routes, the tribes led their lives in peace and freedom. Weaving and knotting used to be important components of their culture, which in many cases remained unchanged until the 19th century.

The exhibition features carpets and flatweaves from the large region of the Central Anatolian highlands stretching from Afyon via Konya to Cappadocia. All these artifacts are well worth being shown in museums. With their powerful symbols and superb colours they stand out as highlights of bygone Anatolian textile culture.

Carpet, Central Anatolia, Kavakli,
19th ct.
216 x 147 cm