Vintage Tulu Rug with Abstract Design
Tulu rugs represent one of the earliest forms of nomadic pile weaving, typically knotted with a medium-high pile as they were meant as bedding rugs for the tent. Woven in the Karapinar area in central Anatolia, these are distinguished by the use of fine mohair wool. The patterns are typically quite simple, ranging from completely open fields to stacked niches.
This archaic looking niche design rug is distinguished by the extra weft loop pile technique, which is one of the earliest forms of weaving that preceded the creation of the pile rug. It is knotted on a weft-faced wool foundation in two panels, as these were woven on narrow nomadic looms. The pattern consists of an honeycomb arrangement of polychrome triangles, which results in an abstract composition especially when viewed along the two panels. Simple geometric designs such as this one can be seen on the wall paintings of Catal Huyuk, a Neolithic town discovered in the 1960’s and located in central Anatolia, in the same area where Tulu and Filikli rugs were woven. The diminutive format is particularly pleasing, offering the possibility of using it either as an accent rug or a wall hanging. A genuine tribal rug of ancient modernity.