Handwoven Sivas Prison Hereke Rug

     This impressive piece was woven in the early 1980s at the Sivas Semi-Open Prison in Central Anatolia, under the name of high-quality Hereke rugs. After 1949, the production of these rugs continued exclusively in prison studios, each one crafted by female inmates working under state supervision and receiving fair wages.

     Registered with archive number 5968, this rug was woven with a density of 60x60 knots per square decimetre – that is, 3,600 knots in every dm². It was completed with a total of approximately 165,240 knots. The background features rich tones of dusty rose, navy, and ivory, while the pattern incorporates 18 distinct colours including terracotta, green, pink, copper, and soft orange.

     The design is arranged in a grid structure, with each section filled with traditional Turkish motifs such as pomegranates, hatayi flowers, rumi scrolls, buds, vines, and lotus blossoms. The pomegranate, in particular, symbolises abundance and fertility in Anatolia and became widely used in Renaissance Europe, especially in priestly garments and textiles after the 16th century.

This rug is not only an elegant decorative item but also a historically and culturally valuable collector’s piece. With its intricate motifs and meaningful production background, it stands as a rare example of Anatolian weaving heritage.

    Please note that slight colour tone differences may occur between the product photos and the actual item due to lighting during photography. Some rugs may have been stored unused for many years, while others may show minimal signs of use. Small repairs carried out over time or untouched original details have been preserved consciously to maintain the piece’s authenticity. We kindly ask you to consider these nuances when purchasing.

     For more information or additional images, feel free to contact us. All orders are carefully packed and shipped from Istanbul with worldwide delivery available.