Oriental Rugs Dictionary
Transylvania (Siebenburgen)
Transylvanian rugs refer to Anatolian carpets preserved in churches in Transylvania (Romania), dating primarily from the 16th and 17th centuries.
These rugs were originally imported from Turkey and are important examples of early oriental carpets found in Europe.
They are valuable for both their artistic quality and historical significance.
The majority of the so called Transylvanian rugs were made during the 17 Century. This name was given to them because they were either sold or offered as gifts in Transylvania during its occupation by the Ottoman Empire. It is known that even Kara Mustafa the Grand Vazir and the nephew of Sultan Mehmet gave rugs as presents. He probably was hoping to acquire a reputation as a man with cultural as well as military interests and as a supporter of religious tolerance.
The Transylvania rugs were made in various workshops or villages throughout Anatolia but mostly were made in Oushak.
