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Taurus Mtn Cicim
Category: Antique Rugs
Avg. Rating: Rated Average [2.0 out of 5] (Based on 1 Reviews)    Item Views: 216  (details)
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 Antique Tribal Weavings 
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Item Value: $650.00
Type: Cicim
Country of origin: Turkey
Region of origin: Central Anatolia, South Taurus Mountains, Icel Province
Artisan's heritage: Yoruk
Date made: 1850
Period made: Mid 19th Century
Size: 3' 3 1/2" x 2' 3"
Shape: Rectangle
Assembly: Flatwoven tapestry, woven in one piece.
Weft: Wool
Warp: Bottom, 4" straight, goat hair Warp Top, countered two-color soumak. Bottom: Fringe warps secured with a countered two-color soumak chain.
Design: An interlocking lattice of major and minor star motifs covers the surface of this weaving. Three columns of three rows of primary motifs are offset by four columns of white-outlined secondary motifs. The YorOk who weave this design are living in the Taurus Mountains, and a smaller enclave of them live in Western Anatolia where they weave this same pattern using the clear red, white and blue colors typical for that area. Both the pattern and colors used show a strong Turkmen influence, as does the design components of this small piece, which has no side borders, but has to and bottom borders divided into to sections, to suggest a border with an elem next to it.
Quality: Excellent
Features: The colors have been placed with a keen eye for contrast within a very complex design in a manner that creates a strong, three-dimensional impression. This weaving is much more complex that most other standard designs from this group for pieces of this size.
Condition: Average
Defects: The pattern of wear indicate this small flatweave may have been used as a prayer rug. Countered soumak weft-twining is missing from 13" across bottom edge of rug. Small area of wear in the field.
Details: It has possibly been preserved by the family as a keepsake and a pattern to a much older design. Loosely and carefully woven, using ordinary materials and elaborate brocading to produce an outstanding example of visual art.
Notes

The weavers, Nomadic Yoruks, herded long-haired black goats in the highest mountain areas where the terrain is too steep and rough to graze sheep. They barder for the wool they use for the pattern wefts on their flatweaves, which usually have black goat hair foundations, the same material they use to weave their tents.

The impact of this small weaving shows just how much can be done with so very little in the way of modest materials and dyes in the hands of a talented and skilled weaver. A perfect example of woven art, this piece should always be hung on a wall to be enjoyed. This cicim should be washed to brighten the whites and settle the dyes.


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