Imported Tapestry Became Popular in Türkiye After the 1960s

Imported Tapestry

Abstract

A tapestry is a woven or embroidered textile product that is usually used for decorative purposes and displayed on the wall. Although the word “carpet” in Turkish usually brings to mind floor carpets, tapestries can be found in homes, workplaces or other living spaces as an aesthetic element. Historically, especially in Anatolian, Central Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, tapestries have been used for different purposes such as ornamentation and thermal insulation. The tapestry, which is utilized both aesthetically and functionally, has been seen as one of the indispensable elements of indoor decoration in ancient times. The tapestry, which has gained a place in the house types in settled life from the tent-type shelter in nomadic settlements, has been a widely preferred item not only in rural houses but also in urban houses until a certain period. The reason for the widespread use of tapestries with traditional motifs in urban homes is that families migrating from rural to urban areas preferred the same decoration products in their urban homes. Over time, with the introduction of new decoration products and changes in aesthetic perceptions, other ornaments have taken their place on the walls of houses. Today, it is still possible to frequently come across traditional tapestries in rural homes, although not so much in urban homes. In addition, tapestries produced with modern art understanding and motifs continue to exist in urban homes. Just like the floor carpets, the motifs in tapestries have a rich diversity in both cultural and artistic terms. Each motif carries a meaning and generally reflects the aesthetic understanding, beliefs and lifestyle of the culture to which they belong. This study will focus on the types of imported pictorial carpets popularized in Turkey after the 1960s, which are frequently encountered indoors.