Hello Phil,

I’m very glad that you chose Mearto for your online appraisal,

Considering the photographs, overall pattern, knot density and the colours, I concluded that this is an Entirely Hand Knotted Turkish Gaziantep Islahiye Kilim, dating back to the period between 1940-1970. This piece of yours has one of the most heavily used Kilim patterns of all Anatolia. On this composition we can easily detect "Bereket" "Scorpion" and "Ram Horn" motifs, which are classical to the Turkish Hand Knotting Art. These kind of pieces were usually knotted in small villages for the use of the weaver's family. They were not commercial at all. During the 1950's although many villagers met with the industrialized paints for the rugs they've mostly hand loomed their on wool which were collected from their own animals. As you can notice this piece is actually composed of three individual kilims which the weaver united after their production. This was a very convenient way for the villagers because they could cut the stiches off and turn the large piece into two pieces which would suit different purposes. Usually this type was used in warmer areas as Gaziantep's Islahiye. Although it is not an incredibly warm area it is considerably warm in comparison to Central Anatolian cities and therefore the weavers could take advantage of knotting thinner kilims. Since a kilim is not only decorational but also made to isolate the floor from the cold in Central Anatolia a thin kilim was insufficient. On the contrary in these areas where your kilim was knotted it was possible and suitable to use thin pieces too. Each row on your piece is composed of seven chests which all include different decorational motifs I've mentioned. Bereket motif is used for wealth and prosperity while Ram Horn is used for fertility and Scorpion is used to scrae away the bad luck and bad news. The colour are not natural or vegetable dye. Knotted Wool on Wool. In good condition with some signes of use and age.

Entirely hand knotted.

Dimensions: 153 Centimeters to 200 Centimeters

Condition: In good condition with some signes of use and age.

Provenance: Purchased by the current owners in 3 June 2002 in Turkey, near Ephesus. From a dealer called Turkmen Art and Rug.

Heavily decorated by traditional Anatolian patterns.

600-800$.

Please don’t hesitate to reach us again for more online appraisals on your precious items, thank you for choosing Mearto.