Gördes

Floor coverings handwoven in the town of Ghiordes, northeast of Izmir in western Anatolia, modern Turkey. Some of these rugs date from the last decades of the 18th century, borrowing elements from much earlier Ottoman court designs with fields of red or ivory. Many others were produced during the 19th century, using blue, green, and brown, and a field with small motifs. Areas of white pile in Ghiordes carpets are often knotted in cotton. After the 18th century, cotton was normally used for the weft and wool was used in the warp. The pile is generally of wool, but sometimes silk.The symmetrical knot is also known as the Ghiordes knot, after these textiles. The better quality rugs dating prior to the 20th century are highly prized.