Bergama Rugs

Bergama, Bergamo, Pergamum are all names for modern day Bergama a city near the Aegean sea in Northwest Turkey.

Bergama region map

Bergama which is a district of Izmir, is situated on the north side of the plateau which the Bakýrçay flows, on the ridge of a peak which is 300 meters height. It is 25-35 kilometers further than the Agean sea and The Çandarlý Bay.

Bergama rugs are loosely woven, with a longish pile, and belong to the Anatolian class. They are usually nearly square, from 3 x 4 to 6 x 8 feet in size, and in a great variety of Turkish designs. They are woven with a coarse Kilim-like selvage at each end, into which are usually woven beads or other charms against evil spirits, in some cases the beads being omitted and a small triangle of the pile being woven into the selvage, where it joins the body of the rug.

Bergama rugs traditionally have dyed wefts. Usually red, and long silky pile. Size made are from mats up to about 4 meters. The rugs tend to be nearly square. Bergama rugs can be rather formal showing workshop influences or they can show strong tribal influences. The Yagcibedir tribe lives in the Bergama area and makes distinctive tribal rugs.

Bergama rug with dyed wefts

More examples:

Bergamo Rug
West Anatolia, Circa 1850

Several reweaves.

Warp: Wool, Z2S ivory, gray- ivory.

Weft: Wool, 5 – 6 shoots, Z1 red.

Pile: Wool, symmetrical knot.

Density: 5 – 5 1/5 H 7 – 9 V

Sides: Right side 3 cords of 2 warps each, flat, mostly blue, some bands of white, reds, dark blues, left side, 4 cords2 cords each, Flat alternating bands of medium to dark blue and red

Ends: Upper 3 inch, red kilim, warp fringe. Lower 5-inch red kilim with some red, white, blue, and black, sumac decoration.

Size: 6 ft. 5 in. by 5 ft. 2 in. (1.98 by 1.35 m.)

Colors: Madder red, persimmon, royal blue, medium to dark azure, white, black.



The Allen Bergama Prayer Rug

The Allen Bergama Prayer Rug

This rug has two to three shots of light red weft. The back is flat and the wefts are sinuous. Bergama rugs are known for having a red weft. This rug may well date back to the mid 18th century. Bergama rugs are generally seen to be derivative of Ottoman court carpets.


Bergama Rug early 19th C.

Bergama Rug early 19th C.

West Anatolia. Size: approximately 5ft. 1in. by 3ft. 8in. (1.55 by 1.12m.)

Notes: early 19th century, missing outer guard borders, losses to side and upper end borders, overcast sides, repiled and rewoven areas, moth damage.


Bergama rug, West Anatolia

Bergama rug, West Anatolia

Mid-19th century, oxidized charcoals, moth damage, rewoven corner, partially rewoven side guard stripes, partially reselvaged, small reweaves, repiling. Approximately 6ft. 5in. by 5ft. 9in. (1.96 by 1.75m.)


A Bergama rug, West Anatolia

A Bergama rug, West Anatolia

Circa 1870. Original flatwoven end finish at one end, oxidized browns, selvage fraying in areas, foldwear, holes, losses to lower end, glue residue at edges on reverse. Approximately 7 ft. 6 in. by 6 ft. 3 in. (2.29 by 1.90 m.)


Bergama Region Rug, Western Anatolia

Bergama Region Rug, Western Anatolia

Size: Fragment

Date: 1875-1899

Description: As a production center, Bergama has a long history with 70-80 settlements in the region involved to some extent with weaving. The creation of many of the so-called Transylvania carpets during the 17th and 18th centuries is thought to have originated in the Bergama area. The design of this rug is related to these Transylvania carpets.

Condition: Fragment. There are, however, extensive areas of full pile. The colors are strong.


A Bergama Area Village Rug

A Bergama Area Village Rug

West Anatolia, 2nd C.

Size: 227 x 171 cm

Description: The white field cruciform medallion, which is set in a light red bracket-like arch.


A Bergama Area Village Rug, West Anatolia, Yüncü or Karacecili, 19th C.

A Bergama Area Village Rug, West Anatolia, Yüncü or Karacecili, 19th C.

Size: 300 x 210 cm

Description: Beautiful color with simple arches filled with white, hook-filled lines. These rugs are called Yüncü or Karacecili in the literature. Reweaves but intact with the original Kelim ends. Remarkably good condition.


A Bergama Area Village Rug, West Anatolia, 19th C.
A Bergama Area Village Rug, West Anatolia, 19th C.

Size: 210 x 160 cm. From a South German private collection.


A Bergama Rug, West Anatolia, third quarter 19th Century

A Bergama Rug, West Anatolia, third quarter 19th Century

Notes: oxidized browns, patch to one corner.

Size: Approximately 6 ft. 10 in. by 5 ft. (2.08 m. by 1.52 m.)

Warp: Wool, Z2S, ivory

Weft: Wool, 1Z, 2 shoots, red

Pile: Wool, symmetrical knot

Density: 5 horizontal, 6-7 vertical

Sides: Wool, 9 warps form kilim selvage, red

Ends: 1 in. kilim, warp fringe, red

Colors: Madder red, light to deep blue, cornflower blue, parchment, cardamom, ecru, melon, teal blue, black


19th Century Bergama Rug

19th Century Bergama Rug

West Anatolia.

Size: 4 ft.2 in. x 3 ft.4 in. 1.27m. x 1.02m.

Condition: Even wear overall.


A Small Village Bergama Area Rug, West Anatolia, 19th C.

A Small Village Bergama Area Rug, West Anatolia, 19th C.

Size: 105 x 90 cm

Description: Reciprocal panels bracket an oversize Memling Gul. Note the minor guard borders, this ribbon border is one we see in very old Turkish rugs.Some repiling.


1st half 19th C. Bergama Rug
1st half 19th C. Bergama Rug

Origin: Nordwest Anatolia, Bergama Region, 1st half 19th century

Size: 180 x 163 cm

Condition: Sides restored, some re-knotted areas, high pile.


A Bergama Rug, West Anatolia

A Bergama Rug, West Anatolia

Size: approximately 7ft. by 4ft. 7in. (2.13 by 1.4m.). Circa 1900. Oxidized browns.


A “Ghirlandaio” rug, Bergama, West Anatolia, 17th century

A "Ghirlandaio" rug, Bergama, West Anatolia, 17th century

Oxidized browns, missing end guard stripes, rewoven corner, reselvaged, foldwear, repiling at upper end of field, small reweaves. Approximately 4 ft. 8 in. by 3 ft. 9 in. (1.42 by 1.14 m.)

This rug is unusual for its stark open field. The “Ghirlandaio” group is named for a carpet depicted by Domenico Ghirlandaio in his mid-15th century Madonna Enthroned. Based upon the octagon-in-squares centers of the medallions they are classified as Type III Holbein carpets. Such `Holbein variants’ reflect earlier designs but feature a powerful central medallion in contrast to the overall pattern of the “Holbeins” and “Lottos.”


A Ghirlandaio medallion Bergama rug

A Ghirlandaio medallion Bergama rug


A Ghirlandaio medallion Bergama rug

A Ghirlandaio medallion Bergama rug


Turkish Bergama Rug

A charming, small rug in a classic pattern of this western Turkish region. It shows two vertical panels in madder red which has oxidized, leaving them in effective low-relief. The rest of the pile is thick and springy with attractive apricot, blue-green and indigo dyes in excellent condition. Both selvages and the kilim ends are original, with one rewoven area in the flat weave.

This is a particularly nice example of a Bergama area village rug. It has a clear strong renditions of a traditional Bergama design but without the clutter that detracts from many related pieces.

Size: 122 x 86 cm

Region: West Asia, Turkey, West Anatolia, Bergama

Period: Last quarter 19th century.


Antique Bergama Area Yastik w/ Single Weft

This yastik surprised me when I felt it. It is more solid then most really old yastik. Most have a floppy handle and this one is firm. The reason can be seen below. This is a rather rare single weft construction while almost all Turkish rugs have two shots of weft between each row of knots this yastik has but one.

Size: 35 in. x 18 in.

Waps: Two-ply Ivory wool.

Wefts: 1 shot of two ivory wool singles.

Knot: Symetrical, 6.5 by 10.5 knots to the inch, 68 kpsi.


Bergama Region Rug, circa 1875 – 1899

Bergama Region Rug, Western Anatolia

Size: Fragment

Condition: Fragment. There are, however, extensive areas of full pile. The colors are strong.

Date: 1875 – 1899

Description: As a production center, Bergama has a long history, with 70 to 80 settlements in the region involved to some extent with weaving. The creation of many of the so-called Transylvania carpets during the 17th and 18th centuries is thought to have originated in the Bergama area. The design of this rug is related to these Transylvania carpets.