BALIKKESIR
Located in the north west part of Turkey, Balıkkesir is home of many
tribes who wove glorious kilims. One of these tribes called Aydınlı tribe
who used ancient and totemictic pattern. Some of these patterns are traced
back to polished stone age. Balıkkesir is also home kilims called saf where
several praying niches are put side by side.
ŞARKOY
Şarkoy kilims, decorated with tree of life and stylized birds, are woven
in Bulgaria,
Greece and the areas close to the Turkish Border. Birds and
tree of life are the most prominent feature of these e kilims. Besides these
motifs, human figures, stylized grape leaves, small praying niches and
diamond designs are often encountered. Hooked diamond shaped medallions are
also one of the major patters of Şarkoy kilims.
Designs on the Şarkoy Kilims are very stylized and abstract.
BERGAMA KILIMS
Located in the north west part of Turkey, Bergama (ancient Pergamon) has
been a great center for historical rugs and kilims. Bergama kilims always
stayed very faithful to the traditional Seljuk designs and patters and
contained geometrical paterns. Stylized tree of life, rams horn are often
used on these kilims. Although blue and red are the dominant colors, we have
also multi colored kilims woven in the area. Pair of hand pattern or comb
design which appear in the center of the kilim are typical for Bergama
kilims. Zili and Cicims, woven in Bergama region, have traditional crosses,
surrounded by squares which symbolize a chest, signifying the weaverÕs
desire to get married.
YUNCU
Located in Balıkkesir region, Yuncu has been home of reputed kilims,
woven with large and powerful ornaments since the 16th century. Most
prominent feature of these kilims are the tree of life or a pole with ram
horns emerging from it. Red, blue, dark green are dominant colors for Yuncu
kilims which are woven mostly in square form and made smaller than Anatolian
kilims. Yuncu kilims are dyed with madder roots (red color) and blue
(indigo). Ram horn is the main pattern on the well-demanded kilims.
MANASTIR
Kilims woven in Gordes, Kula, Usak, Izmir, Akhisan were known as Manastır
Kilims. These kilims with simple patterns draw our attention with very vivid
colors such as red, yellow and blue colors. Geometric medallions, running
dog patters and narrow bands with tiny crosses are typical patterns of
these kilims.
USAK KILIMS
Usak, the home of big size kilims is an important center for contemporary
kimis. Old Usak kilims had often central medallion and red background color.
Some of these KIlims are as big as 5.5 meter square. In the recent years,
Usak became an important center for contemporary kimlims.
AYDIN
Aydın, located in the western Anatolia, is noted for prayer arch kilims
and large kilims with two halves. Although Aydın kilims have some
similarities with Konya Kilims, they have more infill motifs and they look
busier then than Konya Kilims. Small squarish amblems repeated vertically ,
hooked motifs, large central medallions are typical for AYDIN Kilims. Some
Aydın Kilims are distinctive with long narrow central mihrap surrounded by
the series of strip like borders.
DENIZLI
Located in the western Anatolia, Denizli is the major center for
contemporary kilims for export market. In besides these commercial kilims,
Denizli region produces some very produces same authentic regional kilims.
Having a great resemblance to Usak and Esme kilims, Denizsli Kilims have
rectangular sizes and feature bold serrated medallions in fairly bright
colors.
EŞME
Located in the western Anatolia, the town of Esme produces both
contemporary workshop kilim for export and some authentic regional kilims
Esme Kimlims, which have large medallions and amulet form, are decorated
with small geometric and symbolic patterns all over them. most of the kilims,
woven in Esme, have the slit weave technique and usually soft color such as
pinks and grays. Because of their color combinations and fine weaving Esme
kilims are much favored by the westerner. They often produce single or
multiple hexagonal medallions. Whole ground of these kilims is filled with
small and geometrical motifs. Most popular colors that Esme weavers use are
pink, blue, yellow and orange. Small mihraps also appear on the Esme KIlims.
FETHIYE
Fethiye, located in the south west corner of Turkey, produces kilims with
two major compositions. First category of these kilims has empty monochrome
central medallion flanked by two heavily decorated end containing diamond
designs. Second compositions offer a similar lay out. This time central
field is filled various patters.
