Restoration of 200-year-old Ottoman carpets begins

The Presidency of the National Palaces has undertaken a meticulous restoration process to make two 200-year-old carpets, which are rare pieces of Ottoman palace culture, displayable again. Located in the Yıldız Chalet complex in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, the National Palaces Carpet Restoration Workshop is restoring two valuable pieces belonging to the Beylerbeyi and Yıldız palaces, with the efforts of expert teams. Sadi Öztürk, a carpet repair master who has been working at the National Palaces for about 17 years, stated that the restoration workshop, with an 8-person expert team, undertakes the restoration of carpets in palaces, pavilions, and mansions under the National Palaces. Öztürk mentioned that all procedures done on the artworks are recorded both before and during the restoration process, allowing them to be reviewed and followed up. He explained that yarns suitable for the carpet's texture are selected first, and after being dyed to match the carpet's colors, restoration work begins. He further emphasized the meticulous, long, and patience-demanding nature of the restoration work. The two carpets illustrate different knot styles. After restoration, they can be visited, which is motivating for the team. The restoration of the Beylerbeyi and Yıldız palace carpets has been ongoing for six months, with one carpet nearing completion while work continues on the other. The Beylerbeyi palace's 20-square-meter Hereke carpet, woven with Turkish knot technique in the 19th century, features intricate rose decorations. The restoration process involves repairing moth damage, completing broken warp and weft threads, and restoring the edges. The Yıldız Palace's 29-square-meter Iranian carpet, woven with Iranian knot technique, features blue background with white flower motifs. Both carpets are restored with meticulous attention to detail, using threads in line with their original 19th-century textures.