How do I clean an antique rug?

Gentle surface vacuuming without the rotating brush attachment removes loose dust and debris effectively. Professional textile conservators should handle wet washing to protect natural dyes and wool fibres. Avoid harsh chemical cleaning agents and excessive moisture exposure, which weaken historic foundations and alter subtle green tones.

Where were these carpets woven?

Weavers produced these textiles across various regions of Anatolia, including towns like Ushak, Ghiordes, Konya, and Milas. Each district maintained distinct weaving traditions, colour palettes, and knotting styles. Village workshops often utilised local materials and handed down specific geometric or floral motifs through generations of makers.

What is a prayer rug?

A prayer rug is a portable textile featuring a central arch or mihrab design used to define a clean space for daily devotions. These smaller formats were easily rolled and transported. Collectors prize them for precise symbolism, architectural borders, and balanced field proportions that reflect regional weaving mastery.

How do I date an old rug?

Dating relies on examining material wear, dye characteristics, structural format, and stylistic evolution within specific regional groups. Eighteenth-century examples often display simpler, archaic drawing styles compared to later nineteenth-century workshop pieces. Analysing the wool consistency and secondary colour combinations helps place the textile within a specific decades-long window.