Woven floor spreads were unknown in Europe before Marco Polo returned from his voyage to Central Asia with Turkish kilims. Kilims and carpets have been used by Turks since nomadic times when they would be spread on tent floors and later acquired an integral functional and decorative aspect in their urban lives.

The high value attached to traditional kilims and carpets is demonstrated by their place in the dowry of young brides in Anatolia. Each kilim and carpet had a story interwoven in its texture by virtue of which it was elevated from the level of pure ornamentation to that of art.

Kilims have a symbolic language. If you know which figure corresponds to what (for instance a double horn indicates masculinity and virility) you can easily figure it out. But no training is needed to "read" a kilim as the meaning will be revealed to you upon contemplation.

Kilim from Uşak

Kilim from Şarköy