Hereke

Origin

Hereke rugs come from the eponymous town of Hereke in the Turkish province of Kocaeli, about 60 kilometres east of Istanbul on the Sea of Marmara. Rug production in Hereke began in the mid-19th century under Sultan Abdülmecid I, who in 1843 commissioned an imperial rug manufactory. This workshop was meant to produce exclusive rugs for the Ottoman palaces and as state gifts. Hereke quickly developed into one of the most prestigious rug centres of Turkey and remains known to this day for its exceptionally high-quality knotting.

Characteristics

Hereke rugs are distinguished by their extraordinarily fine knot density, which often runs between 400,000 and over 1,000,000 knots per square metre. The patterns are predominantly floral, frequently featuring medallion designs, palmettes, arabesques, and stylised flowering vines. Characteristic are the harmonious colour combinations dominated by reds, blues, and beiges, complemented by gold and silver accents. The borders are usually multi-tiered and richly ornamented. Many Hereke rugs show an exceptionally even knotting and a silken sheen that varies with the angle of view.

Material and technique

Hereke rugs are made both from pure wool and from silk, with the silk versions especially prized. For wool rugs, high-quality New Zealand or Anatolian wool is used. The warp is usually cotton or silk, the weft cotton. Knotting uses exclusively the Turkish (Ghiordes) knot. The extremely high knot density allows for very detailed and precise pattern rendering. After knotting, the rugs are sheared, washed, and often chemically treated to produce the characteristic sheen. The complete production process can take several years for top-quality pieces.

Worth knowing

In its heyday the imperial manufactory in Hereke employed more than 1,000 knotters and produced rugs for famous customers such as Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul and European royal houses. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire production was privatised but remained at the highest quality level. Hereke rugs are considered collector pieces today and command top prices at auction. The town of Hereke houses a rug museum that documents the history and development of the local knotting art. Authentic Hereke rugs often carry a knotter's signature or certificate, since their reputation has long attracted imitations on the market.