Melas Rugs

Guide to Antique Turkish Melas Rugs & Carpets

As a group Turkish rugs are generally 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.)

yellow and red milas rug

More examples:

A Melas rug, Southwest Anatolia,

A Melas rug, Southwest Anatolia, mid 19th century, oxidized browns, rewoven end guard stripes, missing side guard stripes, reselvaged, small reweaves and minor repiling, approximately 5 ft. 7 in. by 3 ft. 6 in. (1.7 by 1.07 m.)


Melas rug

A Melas rug, Southwest Anatolia, third quarter 19th century, original kilim at one end, oxidized charcoals, one rewoven corner, reweaves, approximately 5 ft. 5 in. by 4 ft. (1.65 by 1.22 m.)


 Melas Rug Circa 1880 
 Melas Rug Circa 1880


Melas Rug Circa 1890 
Melas Rug Circa 1890


A 19th Century Melas Rug
A 19th Century Melas Rug
The colors include bright yellow and aubergine.


Melas Prayer Rug mid 19th C
Melas Prayer Rug mid 19th C


Melas Prayer Rug, 19th C.
Melas Prayer Rug, 19th C.
Attractive rug with a yellow Mihrab with two tree ornaments and carnation blossoms. The main border is derivative of reciprocal borders from the 16th century. The outer border is unusual as well but appears from a tribal origin. Minor repairs and corroded browns.


Melas Prayer Rug 19th C
Melas Prayer Rug 19th C
Coarsely woven. The design with three trees ia a rare feature. – Re-woven in several areas, corners restored.


 A Melas prayer rug,  circa 1800
 A Melas prayer rug, circa 1800


 A Melas Turkish Prayer Rug, C. 1850 
 A Melas Turkish Prayer Rug, C. 1850