OUR COLLECTION

How MadameOttoman Resources

Village Life

Carpets and rugs, originally produced in Central Asia for insulation purposes, have over time become cultural symbols.

Ottoman culture played a significant role in reviving this tradition, especially in rural areas where weaving customs were preserved. Women would weave these pieces before marriage, expressing themselves through intricate motifs, creating carpets for their new homes, either selling them to furnish their houses or passing them down to the next generation.

Over time, women came to see carpet weaving as a valuable source of income, both for themselves and for their cultural heritage. For centuries, they wove millions of carpets to meet their needs and express their emotions. Passing down traditions and techniques through generations, these women paved the way for transforming this cultural craft into an industry; achieving extraordinary success while preserving its essence and leaving a lasting legacy.

As carpet weaving became an industry, governments, businesses, and villages sought to capitalize on its immense value, leading to a race to produce millions of carpets over the past century. Despite claims of superior quality and design, no factory could capture the heartfelt artistry of a village woman weaving her emotions and stories into her carpets. This proved that carpet weaving is both an industry and an art form.

After the 1970s, the products of the carpet weaving competition began to lose popularity and fall into disuse. Many of these carpets were either forgotten or stored in poor conditions. However, the carpets woven by the village women with their labor and experience aged beautifully over time. They had more vibrant wool, silkier textures, and definitely more original designs. These pieces remained in perfect condition, silently saying, "Ours are the best," and did not succumb to the test of time.

Hand-woven rugs, once seen merely as antiques, have now become valuable relics, giving rise to two important craft branches: restoration and cleaning. While rug restoration is a newer field than weaving, it is vital for preserving village rugs; it requires the same skill and raises the question, “Does reviving old arts require new mastery?” Rug cleaning, on the other hand, is a laborious craft, becoming increasingly complex as it must preserve the antique appeal of the rugs. This complexity has led to the closure of many businesses, making specialist rug cleaning a rare and valuable profession.

MadameOttoman Collection

At MadameOttoman, we bring this rich culture to your doorstep.

We travel to Anatolian villages not just to compete, but to collect carpets that reflect deep emotions and identities.

Our expert team restores and cleans these carpets, making them ready for your home. More than just a carpet brand, we are here to meet all your carpet-related needs. As guardians of this heritage, we proudly serve you, their new owners.

On its journey to join the MadameOttoman collection, a hand-woven rug embarks on a six-month adventure.

We travel to remote villages to collect each precious piece, gently restore it to its former glory, and meticulously clean it. As a final touch, we infuse the rug with the essence of MadameOttoman, giving it timeless elegance and value.

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