Resourcing Rugs

We have been sourcing and selling original, handmade Turkish and Oriental Rugs from our business, Heritage Nomadic Art Gallery in the center of Sultanhamet, Istanbul for over 20 years.

However, our journey from farming life in a small village just outside Corum, located in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey, to the world of selling Rugs, both locally and Internationally, in Istanbul has been a life-long learning experience.
We first became aware of the rug weaving process when growing up in Corum where, as children, we were surrounded by sheep, shepherds, shearers, spinners, dyers and weavers. But these were our family and friends and the Rugs they produced were just that - Rugs intended to be used every day in our homes.
Fast forward 20 years and after much experience in both the Hospitality and Rug selling industries, we were able to realize one of our main ambitions and that was to open our own Retail Business. With our knowledge and appreciation of the tradition of weaving truly unique, hand-made, natural wool rugs colored with completely natural dyes as our focus, we decided that this was what we wanted to preserve and pass on to future generations.
As a result, we purposely began travelling to Villages and Towns throughout Turkey to source truly handmade, natural wool rugs which had been produced up to 100 years ago.
During these early days of sourcing and collecting, we were able to learn much about the age and origin of rugs from each particular region / area from the local weavers and dealers who were happy to pass on knowledge and information which had, in turn, been conveyed to them by their predecessors.
As these local people came to understand exactly what we were looking for in terms of age, quality, design and origin, they began to inform us whenever anything suitable became available in their area.
Today, we are proud of the trusted network of collectors and dealers we have established throughout Turkey and further afar, and, whilst we still embark on our own trips to source our product, we also utilize modern methods of communication / social media to keep informed about what is available so we are able to source rugs 365 days of the year.

Family Involvement
Heritage Nomadic Art Gallery is owned and run by two brothers, Ugur and Hasan Karaca, who have worked together for over 20 years to build a successful physical and on-line rug selling business. Our focus is genuine, traditional Vintage and Antique rugs produced throughout the major and, sometimes, more obscure parts of Turkey.
Whilst our family, particularly our predecessors in Corum, have always contributed in one way or another to some aspect of the rug making process, we are the first to become actively involved in sourcing, collecting and selling to a wider market.
We are proud to be able to say that we have many International buyers, ranging from other dealers/sellers to individual collectors and designers who now rely on us to source rugs specific to their needs.

Rug Cleaning Process
Most rugs which we source are quite old, many having been stored in basements and households for many years. More often than not, they have been previously used and do require careful cleaning.
The process we employ to clean all rugs is one which has been used for centuries, albeit with a few “modern” aids.
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Cleaning aged, pre-used rugs is a multi-step, labour-intensive process. Firstly, any loose wool or dry soil/dust is removed. Traditionally, this task was completed by vigorous beating or shaking but, today, we have purpose designed vacuum machines which not only remove surface particles, but which also ensure that the vibrations release any soil or dirt lodged lower in the pile or on the back of the rug.
To ensure all residual loose wool or soil/dust is removed, this process is sometimes supplemented with a compressed air “blast” using a machine which forces air through the pile, freeing any particles not removed by the beating / vacuuming process.

Once all residual wool and soil/dirt is removed the rug is then washed. Again, the original process was to use a stiff broom and running water but the more modern and resource-efficient method is to use a rug washing machine which fully submerses and gently agitates the whole rug. Our process uses only water, gently ph neutral detergent and agitation. Heat and artifical solvents or other chemicals are avoided at all times as these can adversely affect the original colors as well as the delicate fibres of hand-spun, naturally dyed wool.

After the washing process s complete, the rug is then rinsed, applying high pressure water until all residual detergent and particles are cleared.

The final step in the rug cleaning process is gentle air drying. Again, the traditional method of leaving a rug to dry in a well-ventilated, open air space has, these days, been replaced by centrifuge-like machines which gently rotate the rug to remove all residual water. Once the rug is nearly dry to the touch, the top surface is groomed to restore the pile to the original direction and, then, the rug is then hung in a well-ventilated, airy space to allow it to dry completely from both sides.

Age and History of a Rug
Determining the age and origin of a rug is not an “exact science” or anything that can be learned overnight. Even the experts sometimes often find it difficult to make exact judgements about a rug’s age. However, over time, if one handles enough rugs, there are some key factors which help place a rug in time and place of origin.
To give an age to a rug, many variables need to be considered including 1) the Reverse Side, 2) the feel or “Handle”, 3) Pile / Wool Color and signs of wear over time, 4) Design and Weaving Technique, 5) KPSI Count.
1) Most people attempting to “age” a rug begin with the back of the piece. As a rug ages with use, the top surface will mellow in color and soften to the touch, but the reverse will usually maintain some of the original, stronger colors. Also, as the reverse side is in contact with the floor, it will become quite smooth. Newer rugs have no variation in color between top and bottom and may also show evidence of wool fibers and “fuzziness”, whilst older rugs usually do not.
2) The “handle” (floppiness) of a rug when folded back onto itself is also another indication of age. Newer rugs are quite stiff whilst aged rugs are supple and pliable.
3) Color is also a good indicator of age. Pre 19th Century rugs were produced almost exclusively using natural, vegetable dyes and colors, whilst perhaps displaying natural “abrash”, did not “fade” on the surface. When the pile on a rug is examined, if the colors are stronger closer to the knotting, then this is a sign of synthetically dyed wool ageing over time. Rugs displaying such uniform fading are usually dated as being produced around or after the late 19th Century when synthetic dyes began to be produced and more commonly used. There is also a present-day trend to artificially fade rugs, but this process changes the whole colour and is easily identified when closely examining the pile as there is no variation in color. These “Vintage Style” rugs are, usually, more contemporary, mid 20th textiles artificially aged to appear older than they actually are.
4) Another important factor in placing a rug in origin and time is the motif design and weaving technique. Many design patterns are unique to certain regions and specific production periods as rug weaving styles and techniques evolved over time due to consumer demand and material availability. Most important rug designs have been well documented and there are many available resources which help identify a rug’s age and origin according to the patterns, colors and knotting techniques used in its’ construction. Of course, many of these patterns and designs have been commercially reproduced in recent years, so it is important to understand how to differentiate between old and new rugs using all other criteria, such as pile color, handle and wear.
5) One other characteristic of a rug which, along will many other considerations, may assist is placing it in origin and time is the Knot Count. The number of knots tied per square inch (KPSI) was often unique to a certain region or time period. Generally, most modern, more contemporary rugs will have a higher KPSI count than Antique rugs from the 18th and 19th Centuries, but there are always exceptions. For example, fine silk rugs will usually have a very high KPSI, regardless of age and the introduction of cotton as a warp thread when producing “City” carpets also saw many older rugs being woven with high KPSI counts.
It is important to note that there is no one key identifier of the origin and age of a rug. Consideration of a range of the key identifiers as well as any documented / anecdotal provenance are all crucial elements when trying “age” a rug and, even then, it may be possible to only stipulate a date range rather than a specific time of production.
Relationship with Twenty Third by Deanne
As our business is located in Turkey, we rely heavily on internet and social media posts to promote our business and services to the wider world.
Our business relationship with Twenty Third By Deanne began in late 2020 when world-wide lockdowns due to the pandemic greatly increased to importance of and opportunities afforded by website and social media communications.
Deanne’s first purchase from us was relatively small but, as we all know, ”from little things big things grow”.
Originally, Deanne purchased some of our ready-made Kilim and Carpet Pillow Covers. As her business grew her specific needs consolidated and she asked us to source particular styles and colors of kilims and rugs for customized Pillow production most suited to her business and market.
Now, nearly three years later, we continue to respond to and fulfil Deanne’s product and design needs, sourcing rugs and kilims which we then cut and manufacture to her specifications in our Istanbul workshop.
In 2022 we were happy to be able to welcome Deanne to our business in Istanbul when she visited us, inspected our Shop and Workplace and observed, first hand, how we operate in person.
Best Part of Working With Twenty Third By Deanne
We are pleased to be able to say that working with Deanne has been an absolute pleasure.
Deanne is very focused and clear in her requirements, providing precise instructions and working with us on rug selection and approval as well as how best to cut each rug to ensure maximum usage of available material.
This is no easy feat as all is done via social media and WhatsApp discussions.
However, from our perspective, the best part of working with Deanne is having the opportunity to give original, handmade rugs which are no longer suitable for use as floor coverings a second life as Pillow Covers for home decoration.
Between Deanne’s business and ours, we are jointly able to ensure that the artistry, skill and traditions of the original shepherds, shearers, spinners, dyers and weavers continue to be honored many years after most who contributed to the original rug have gone.