RUGS BELOW

Just arriving a new shipment of Afghan Kilim rugs. Check them out. Approx. 6 x 9 ish in size

On Saturday the West 25th Street out-door market was buzy with many looking for that ultimate treasure.

Last minute cancellation - Salt City Antique Show

We have been receiving many calls and emails regarding our absence this past week-end.  Early morning van problems left us stranded and set into motion numerous cancellations.  Fortunately, we were towed to a station where the necessary work was completed much later that afternoon.   Quite disappointed, we decided not to continue the trip Saturday morning and simply returned home. 

We are trying to rethink our shows and see when we might get back upstate to see our customers and friends.  Please reach out with any merchandise questions.

New shipment of PERSIAN SUMMACK RUGS
excited about this collection of summacks - one more amazing than the next.
(No two are alike).

Out-door Garage Market - West 25th Street - NYC

With the temps in the high 50-s we set-up today (Saturday)at the out-door Garage Flea Market and wilbe returning on Sunday (if the weather holds).   Met several old friends and made many new acquaintances.Will try to frequent the market when we are in town.  Let us know if there is anything specific you would like us to include.

Remember - we ain't just rugs!!

 

Catch us at the Golden Nuggett in Lambertville, NJ
Sunday, Oct. 16th Spaces #86 & 87.

ALL FIELDS SPARED - BRIMFIELD AS USUAL!!

The word is out - the Fall Brimfield is still on for next week.  (Wed. Sept. 7th- Sun. Sept. 11th)   The gods have been kind and the fields have survived "hurricane Irene".  So pack up and come on out for the annual Fall show.

Anatolian Turkish Rug
Walking on Vesey St. in TriBeCa, I spotted a rug from a distance as an elderly couple unpacked a bundle of rugs from their van. Out of curiosity, I struck up a conversation with rug gurus, David Sheinkopf and Julia Marin. They are the owners of Rugs Below, a company specializing in international, antique, luxury rugs. Their rugs sell for thousands of dollars and they have been in the business for years. They taught me just about everything you can learn about rugs in one day.

I ended up purchasing an amazing, antique 1920’s Anatolian Turkish Kilm. This 100% wool, hand-made rug has rich colors and geometric, seemingly navajo print. David educated me on the significance of my selection. The majority of the Turkish population is Muslim, and because of certain religious beliefs, the sacred color green was rarely used in rugs. It was considered disrespectful to walk on. The rarity in color choice and print for its time make rug unique.

www.zioandsons.com

JUST RECEIVED A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF OLD TURKISH KILIM RUGS. Will be posting new pictures in a few days.

AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE KILIM RUG

Excerpts from text on kilim
"These popular items had been once used carefully in home life. Kilims lost its luster with everyday use, which makes its texture unique and attractive one. That is why the old/antique kilims are as popular as new ones. Actually, there are many ardent collectors of old/antique kilims in the world.

What is Kilim
Kilim means a plain-weave woolen textile in Turkish, and had been produced by nomads. Interweaving the warp spread with the weft is its basic process and its texture is plain unlike the length of pile on carpets. It was the necessities of life and its history is older than carpets. As you know, nomads moved with its house and animals from place to place, so a foldable,
wieldy kilim might be a handy item for them. Although kilims are mainly made by wool, some of them are made by goat fur, camel hair as well as cotton. Poisonous insects (such as scorpion and centipede) don’t like the smell and texture of the kilim. So nomads  avoid these insects by spreading kilim in their tents. In Turkey, there are people who live like nomads during summer.
They, in fact, live with kilims now. Not only as rugs, but they were  made into bags.  (to keep foods or carrying like a rucksack)  Due to its convenience, kilims have been used in various ways like what is now called multi-cover. Many Asian countries (mainly the West and Central Asia) have been produced interesting kilims. Each area has its own characteristics and design.

Motifs on Kilims
There are many motifs on kilim, and motifs are mainly familiar object such as nature and animals. The same motif has different designs depend on its producing areas and tribes. Especially, in Turkey, it is said that each motifs are affected by Shamanism.  Since its artisans have been mainly women, there are many motifs expressing wishes peculiar to women.

Elibelinde: ( Hands on Hip )
a woman standing with her hands on her hips. This motif means motherhood that guards and devotes herself to her child. Also means prolificity and fertility.

Kocboynuzu (sheep’s horn):
means power, health, happiness, male fertility, and power protecting one’s life.

Ejderha (Dragon):
An imaginary creature believed living in sacred nature (sea, sky, mountain, and forest). It symbolizes power, while is regarded as a guardian.

Sacbagi (hair ornament):
A young woman’s hope for marriage. There is a legend that a young woman weaves this motif into kilim and her mother realizes her daughter’s hope for marriage.

Kurt Agzi (wolf’s mouth):
means protection of nomads and farm animals against beasts in nature.

Gul (rose):
A white rose symbolizes love, red one is passion, and a wild rose means longing.

Kupe (Erring):
An ardent desire for marriage

Akrep (scorpion):
means protection of nomads and farm animals against beasts in nature. Since scorpion has an instinct that kill itself in danger by own sting, it symbolizes pride and liberty.

Hayat Agaci (tree of life):
It was believed that the huge and tall tree of life was standing on the center of universe from the beginning of time, it knows worlds mysteries and had permanent power. A tall tree reaching  skyward is compared to a bridge from birth to death. This motif is often described on Anatolia kilims and means happiness in Heaven and immortal life. The bird on the branch of the tree is a bird of paradise, which means an attendant to Heaven.

Aile Sembolu (family crest):
means ties. Each family and tribe has own crest, which is used as motif on kilims and carpets.

Ucan kus (flying bird):
A flying bird brings good news. Some say that this motif originated from a carrier pigeon

Mihrab:
This motif is the arch of a mosque. When a Muslim prays, he / she turns the point of the arch on his / her kilim into the direction of Mecca.

Su yolu (stream):
means a zigzag line of a stream. Water is a basis of human life.

Yildiz (star):
This Eight stars is called the stars of Solomon and the jewels of Muhammad. It means fertility, pray for happiness, and a spiritual revelation.

S  (letter "S"):
means a key and a hook and implies strong tie.

Goz (eye):
The protection against the evil, crimes, harms, and diseases.

Sevgi Kusu (bird) :
Two birds look at each other in this motif. It is called “Love Birds” and means the true love.

Muska (triangle):
The protection against the evil and misfortune. It also means fertility.

Basak (wheat):
A grain on the ground brings numerous amount of wheat, so it means fertility and regeneration. This motif shows women artisans wish for a bountiful harvest in her family.

Kaz: (goose’s feet):
Goose’s web is triangle. Triangle has been regarded as the protection against the evil and deliverer of fortune and Goose’s feet symbolizes gifts from God (divinity, production, fertility).

Insan (human):
This motif comes from the artisan herself and her family. It means human
ties.

 Care of the Kilim
With appropriate maintenance, you can use kilims and carpets for many decades. You don’t need to be so nervous using kilims basically. There are a few cases (color fading and cloth shrinking), so please be a little careful to avoid such cases. Everyday maintenance of kilim is very easy. You can clean your kilim with a vacuum cleaner. Patting it occasionally outside is also fine to brush the dust off. When you want to dry your kilim, keep it in the shade. Don’t leave it in the sun for many hours. If you wash kilim yourself, rub it with a wet-cloth or a wet-tissue paper at first and make sure of its colorfastness. Use a wool detergent or a shampoo on a plain surface. After spin-drying, smooth out a crumpled piece of kilim, and dry it on a place surface in the shade. If your kilim fades, take it to laundry and tell its fading for a cleaner."