As a group
Turkish rugs are
gennerally made very much the same. Antique Milas rugs however may
exhibit a
variation in the number of wefts (2 - 4) that is unusual. Knot counts
range from 30 to 60 kpsi.
In Oriental Carpets Ulrich Schurmann suggest
that in Melas rugs made before 1870 we
should look for the use of
Cochineal. This ranges from a purple brown up to a hint of violet.
Lots of Yellow
with Red
Wefts
Turkish rugs are
a fairly
homogeneous lot. One area where Milas rugs stand out is in the use of
yellow and the use of red wefts. Of all Turkish ruigs when you see
extravagent use of yellow think Milas first. Sizes tend to be small up
to about 6 meters (70 sq. ft.)
Melas-Karaova is a village 17 miles
southwest of
Milas. It is noted for this sort of "strpped Milas" rug.
Melas
has a long tradition
of rugs using designs that are not traditional to Anatolia. In Oriental
Carpets Ulrich Schurmann
attributes the designs in one rug to the French Market.
