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Tulus
Observations on Traditional Hospitality Rugs from the Anatolian Plateau
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Carpets with longer than normal pile have always been an
integral part of nomadic weaving culture. This is true, not only amongst the nomads and tribal peoples of Asia Minor,
but amongst all the weaving nomads of the Silk Road
For Example, there are sleeping type rugs: Badani (Kurdish), Yatak (Turkish), Dsulchir (Uzbek), Gabbeh (Persian. All these
have longer pile, and are more loosely knotted than normal carpets.
The Tulu, however, has its own special niche in the iconography of Tribal Textiles.
The word Tulu is a contraction of the Turkish word "Tuylu", which means feathered or hairy.
There is an important linkage, so far unexplored, between these long haired weavings and
the brightly colored feather capes of South American and Island cultures.
Some Tulu types are more densely knotted than other types. For example, the carpet Tulu is more related to the Persian Gabbeh than to
the loosely knotted mohair types, which are more related to the Central Asian Dsulchirs, or the Kurdish Badannis.
There is also a kink of Tulu which features a Scandinavian type knot, although this type is uncommon.
As there are no shops in the migratory/nomadic world, weavers create the items they need for their own family's use. Furniture
and furnishings are always made by the family as they are needed.
Amongst the various kinds of Tulus, we are feauturing our favorite - Flikkli Tulus, which are loosely knotted Angora goat hair.
This knotting is done whilst the piece is being woven, not afterwards.
Hospitality rugs are a traditional aspect of the Host-Guest relationship that is held in high regard by tribal and nomadic peoples
world wide.
Were one to visit a nomadic tent, or village home in anatolia prior to the advent of television, one would have been offered a Tulu
to sit on, or to cover one's infant with.
The Fikkli Tulus we are displaying are all unspun locks of Angora Goat hair on hand spun wool. All are hand woven and have natural
dyes.
Do not let the condition of these textiles fool you. None are new, although all of the pieces in our exhibition are in "new
condition". Many are dowry pieces, made for a wedding.
One of the most interesting aspects fo this genre is that this is the only form of traditional weaving we are aware of where
there is no specific pattern, or design that is culturally mandanted. In othe words, the weaver is free to choose her own
design, colors, materials and size.
And, since tribal pattern equates with a countries' flags, this is a huge opening of freedom of expression and the ability to
create individual and personal art
Sun Bow is honored to have presented the first exhibition of Tulus in our Gallery on 4th Street in 1987. The first ever book
on Tulus was written by the late George O'Bannon, highlighting our collection, which then migrated to his Philadelphia Gallery fo its premier
showing.
Since then Tulus have been discovered. We are pleased to remark that the best are still here in Charlottesville.
We hope you enjoy the exhibition as much as we enjoyed collecting them and mounting them for you approval and edification.
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MORE IMAGES FROM THE EXHIBITION
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We've been outfitting caravans
from Downtown Charlottesville since 1978.
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