Hand spun lustrous wool on an alternating white and black goat hair warp, vibrant colours including a spectacular natural orange (which the photos do not do justice to) for which this area is well known. According to Deniz Coşkun whose grandmother was a weaver and who gives dye workshops and to whom i am grateful for this information

'This hue of orange can be obtained easily by alum mordant and madder root and is not eye disturbing like chemical dyes. If you add a yellow dye plant (which doesn't fade i.e. reseda) it is more orange, if only madder is used, you obtain "salmon" in the early minutes of boiling processes and apricot hues towards the end. Both of these hues are widely used in the area as a characteristic property of these carpets.'

This striking rug is accompanied by a pair of contemporary yastik cushions woven by the same family. i understand the rug was woven in the 1920s but as its striking appearance gives it a more youthful look, i asked an expert friend for advice and he confirms it could well be early 20th century. In very good condition with just a small loss to the tip of the top left corner of the rug. 175cm x 85cm.

For detailed photos of the rug and the yastiks see: http://www.kilim.ie/TRIBAL_RUGS_and_KILIMS/Pages/SMALL_KNOTTED_RUGS.html

Please contact me for more information.