Turkish Hereke rugs and carpets

The town of Hereke some 50 miles east of Istanbul became a court appointed weaving centre in 1844. Master weavers from the Persian Town of Kerman were imported to train the local people. The designs used are reminiscent of Persian Kerman's but Hereke also borrowed designs from other Persian cities. Although Hereke produced fine wool rugs and carpets its the very fine silk rugs and carpets that brought it to the worlds attention. Unfortunately due to the economic situation in Turkey with increasing wages the fine silk rugs and carpets have all but ceased production.