Hereke | 273 x 195 cm | Nr. Z-3823

Floral Hereke, beige with border

Origin	Turkey
Dimensions	273 cm x 195 cm (= 5.3235 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	490.000
Pile height	5mm
Year of manufacture	1955
Colour	Beige, light red
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Very valuable silk rugs come from the Turkish town of Hereke. The tradition was fostered by the art-loving Sultan Abd-ul-Medjid (reigned 1839 - 1861). In 1844 he had the court workshops moved back from Cairo to Hereke. Hand-knotted Hereke silk rugs are among the finest rugs in the world and are knotted at densities of up to 6 million knots per m². Thanks to the knotting technique, incidentally, the pattern is just as clearly visible on the back as it is on the front. At renowned art auction houses, antique Turkish rugs fetch top prices.

Typical motifs on Hereke rugs are flowers, branches and leaves, as well as birds, the tree of life and the so-called Mehrab or Mihrab pattern, a prayer niche shown together with oil lamps. Alongside traditional motifs and typically Ottoman or Turkish patterns, Hereke silk rugs are today also knotted with more modern designs suited to contemporary taste. Typical colours for Hereke silk rugs are a deep dark blue, a radiant red, a lively green, a luminous yellow and a range of natural tones in every shade.

Pattern

The edge of the rug is framed by a surround (border). The border forms a splendid contrast to the centre.

The lavish floral motifs of this Hereke are elegant and full of variety. The graceful plant symbols, depicting blossoms, leaves and branches, are artfully intertwined.

The repeating elements of this Hereke rug have no particular centre. The recurring repeat pattern feels calming, yet never dull. Rugs with a repeat pattern are also described as all-over patterned.

The background of this Hereke is beige. The border is worked in light red and beige.

Condition

You aren't the first to take a liking to this Hereke. It had owners before you who valued and used it. The rug has a few small stains. The pile is evenly worn. In some places you can see a few white threads. That is completely normal in older rugs. These are the knot ends of the weft and warp weave working their way to the surface over the years. Structurally, it is nothing to worry about. It was hand-knotted around 1955. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with care. Despite its age, it is therefore in very good condition.

Material

The pile of this Hereke was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by gently shearing sheep. New wool is a renewable, natural raw material with a range of impressive qualities: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is naturally protected against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps to regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The weft and warp threads of this Hereke are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and flexible, which makes it particularly well suited to a hard-wearing foundation.