Dazkırı Carpet

Dazkırı Carpet is a handwoven product unique to the Dazkırı district of Afyonkarahisar province, with a history of 150 to 200 years.

Dazkırı Carpet (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Characteristics and Production

Quality and Weaving Technique: Dazkırı carpets belong to the coarse quality category and are typically woven in sizes of 35x40 or 30x40. Depending on the carpet’s dimensions and yarn thickness, either a single weft or double weft may be used. The pile height of the carpet is 4 to 5 cm. The patterns are regular in design and require skilled craftsmanship for production.

Yarn and Dyeing: The carpets are woven using wool yarn. The wool used in weaving is obtained from sheep raised in the region. Since the yarn is hand-spun (kirman), its quality varies according to the skill of the spinner. Chemical dyes are not used; all colors except navy blue are derived from roots, leaves, and flowers of native plants.

Colors: Common colors in Dazkırı carpets include red, white, orange, navy blue, and camel brown. Dark tones predominate, with multiple shades of the same color often used together. The ground color is typically brick red, with minimal use of light tones. In the ground field, brick red, white, and navy blue are used; in the border, brick red, black, white, and light green appear; in the medallions, walnut green, white, navy blue, and light blue tones are employed. In the kilim section, the yarn colors are red, blue, and walnut green. Sometimes the medallion color matches the ground color. Additionally, in the central motif, the dominant colors are red, navy blue, and camel brown, known locally as kökal.

Sizes: Carpet sizes are typically classified as “yastık,” “seccade,” or “saf.” Production in “kelle” size is also possible upon request.

Motifs and Patterns: The Dazkırı Carpet is generally characterized by a central medallion. The motifs exhibit strong simplicity. Designs are not exclusive to the region; motifs and patterns from other areas may also appear together on the same carpet. Variants of the Dazkırı Carpet include kalemli, kuşlu, and çarklı types.

Kalemli Carpet: In the ground field, motifs shaped like pens appear within mihrab-like frames.

Kuşlu Carpet: Bird motifs dominate the entire ground field without a border. Bird motifs symbolize happiness, joy, and love; while owls and crows represent bad luck, and doves, pigeons, and nightingales symbolize good fortune.

Çarklı Carpet: A wheel-like motif is placed at the center of the carpet, containing hook-shaped crosses. Floral motifs decorate the wheel, giving the carpet the appearance of a medallion carpet. Additionally, four water jug motifs are positioned at the corners of the carpet.

Meanings of Motifs: Some motifs used in Dazkırı Carpets carry the following meanings: Bird (happiness, love, good or bad fortune), Eye (protection against the evil eye), Water Channel (purification, rebirth, continuity of life, abundance, nobility, wisdom, purity, virtue), Bell (symbolizing the shepherd’s spinning tool), Leaf (fallen leaf symbolizes death, sprouting leaf symbolizes birth and eternity), Flower (symbolizing paradise), Hand on Hip (symbol of femininity), Hair Tie (desire for marriage), Ram’s Horn (masculinity, strength, heroism, abundance), Water Jug (symbol of water and purity).

Tools Used: Tools used in the production of Dazkırı Carpets include a vertical warp loom, kırklık (wool shearing tool), çıkrık (yarn spinning wheel), kirkit (knot tightening tool), comb (for brushing knot ends), scissors (for trimming knot ends), weaving knife (for cutting knot ends), and burgu demiri (warp tensioning iron).

Place of Production: Production of the Dazkırı Carpet must occur within the designated geographical boundaries (Dazkırı district of Afyonkarahisar) due to its protected designation of origin.

Dazkırı Carpet (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Monitoring

Production, motifs, and the use of the geographical indication are monitored annually or as needed by a committee coordinated by the Dazkırı Municipality and composed of expert staff from the Dazkırı Municipal People’s Education Center.