The history of Karatepe Kilim dates back to the 8th century BC in Karatepe village of Kadirli district. Karatepe Kilim; pomegranate peel, onion peel, walnut tree leaves, pine bark euphorbia, mustard, oak, boruk, camel, oleander, poppy, mastic, hartlap, olive, etc. It is woven entirely from wool yarns using dyes obtained from plants. Although the motifs of Anatolian Turkish Obas are dominant in Karatepe Kilims, motifs designed by the people living on the geographical border are also used. The edges of Karatepe Kilims are framed. The motifs within the frame are motifs such as diamond, star, ladder, earring, yar yâre sulked, yar yâre looked, eli belinde, mihrab, ram's horn, scalloped, hair tie, wolf trail, wolf's mouth, crab, daisy, sevdi dolaştı, zigzag. Animal motifs include wolf's mouth, wolf's footprint, rose hips, swallow's foot and duck; plant motifs include pine tree, rose, pistachio, tulip and also star motifs. A star-like motif called the mind stone with an open hexagonal center is also used.
Geometric motifs are predominant in Karatepe Kilims. Small patterns on the border and large motifs on the ground are dominant. Karatepe Kilims are used on both sides. Due to the fact that the warp rope is woven taut and the kirkit is hit hard, it does not hold dirt and dust and the warp rope is woven taut and the kirkit is hit hard. Karatepe Kilim can be used as a cover, spread or ornament. In Karatepe Kilims, the buttonhole weaving technique is used. The warp has 33-40 wires per 10 cm. Karatepe Kilim, which has a long history and whose production includes features specific to the geographical border, has a reputation with the geographical border.
Production Method: Pomegranate peel, onion peel, walnut tree leaves, pine bark, euphorbia, mustard, oak, boruk, camel, oleander, poppy, mastic, hartlap, olive, etc., which are generally grown on the geographical border, are boiled in water for a long time and then the plants are removed from the water. Wool ropes obtained from sheep are placed in dyed water. After boiling and waiting for a while on a light fire, the dyed yarns are taken out of the boiler, washed thoroughly in clean water and left to dry. After drying, the yarns are ready for weaving. In the old times, Karatepe Rugs were woven on wooden looms called "istar", which were used vertically by fixing their feet to the ground. Today, Istar type winding metal vertical looms are used.
The first stage of Karatepe Kilim, whose weft and warp threads are pure wool, is the selection of the pattern and the planning of the color harmony. The weaver first places the motifs on the pattern in a suitable way to ensure that the motifs that will form the pattern are compatible with each other. Then he chooses the appropriate color for the pattern and motifs he has prepared. Karatepe Rugs are woven by passing the weft wool over and under the warp wool and compacting it with kirkite. Buttonhole weaving technique is used in these rugs. The warp has 33-40 wires per 10 cm.
Production, Processing and Other Operations to be Performed within the Geographical Boundary: Karatepe Kilim, which has a long history, has a reputation with the geographical boundary due to the local production method that requires skill. For this reason, all stages of production must be carried out within the specified geographical boundary.
Carpets & Rugs Condition Terms:
Extraordinary: It is the term used for rugs and carpets that have the characteristic of having a very difficult or special production technique, aging correctly, or having a high level of artistic value, as well as having no defects in the product. The value of new or second hand rugs and carpets, which are in outstanding condition, continues to increase over the years.
Antiques: Although the product is over 80 years old, it has a design, paint technique and origin features that can preserve its artistic value. Antique products can tear, wear, and cause pain. Most antique products have a more valuable aura as they age due to the natural paint and construction technique. For this reason, antique expert values are formed according to the current state of the antique products, the way they are worn, their production techniques and the region.
Excellent: Rugs and rugs in excellent condition are flawless, clean, with the potential to increase in value, bearing the characteristics of the region, and produced correctly. They can be antiques when used properly.
Good: These are carpets and rugs that have average defects in carpets and rugs and are likely to increase in value.
Medium: These are carpets and rugs suitable for daily use, which may have minor damage, do not have a high degree of motif difficulty, and are average in terms of yarn and paint material used.
Mediocre: Rugs and rugs with low pattern difficulty, relatively easy to manufacture, lost quality in various aspects (torn stains, paint mixing, etc.).
Hand-made carpets and rugs do not have bad or very bad classes. All the carpets and rugs produced are a great hand labor. However, there are carpets and rugs that cannot create their value within the bounds of possibility. All carpets and rugs produced are very special works of art that require great labor and production time. For this reason, there is no carpet or rug with low hand made value. There are only carpets and rugs whose experimental value is relatively lower than their square meter. Our recommendation is to use handmade carpets and rugs in your home, office, and in all areas of your life. One square meter rug or carpet is made in 1-2 months on average. Natural rugs and carpets organize the energy of your life, add value to life, improve your artistic approach, and are beneficial to nature. It is completely a part of nature, sustainable and harmless.