A part of a large kilim. Probably from the Toros Mountains (South part of the Konya Province, North part of the Adana Province). Yörük, wool on wool. Ca. 1900.
Vertical rows of a complex recurrent motif, set on different coloured backgrounds (red, dark brown, red and purple). The brown background has largely disappeared (creating blanks), because the dark brown color was obtained by using oxides, that ‘eat’ the wool over time.

The complex motif contains a double horizontally placed ‘Koçboynuzu’ (Ram’s horn), symbolising male fertility, male power and heroism. The vertical motif in between them is a ‘Kurt ızı’ (Wolf’s track), used as a protection against the wolves, which is the primary threat for the stock breeding nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.
The combination of ‘Ram’s horn’ with other protective symbols creates a ‘Bereket’ (Fertility), which is a design of its own, frequently used in Yörük rugs.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: The Kavak Collection of Anatolian Rugs and Weaves, Antwerpen/Belgium.
‘Kilim catalogue’ – Güran Erbek (DÖSÍM - Kültür Bakanlığı/Ministry of Culture