![]() Kutnu has been woven in Gaziantep since the 16th century, and in the past was one of the most sought-after of Turkish fabrics.
Kutnu was used in the past for making kaftans for the sultans, and today is widely used for decorative purposes and to make slippers, bags and many other gift items. |
The satins, velvets, bürümcük, muslins, coarse striped cottons, silk and cotton brocades, printed muslins, broadcloth, woollen cloth, shawls, waistbands, cicims, silis and sumaks, felts and countless other handmade textiles and rugs are almost forgotten. But kutnu is more fortunate than the rest, since in the Turkish province of Gaziantep a few elderly weavers are endeavouring to keep this traditional fabric alive. Kutnu is made of silk dyed with vegetable dyes, and is characterised by alternate shiny and matte stripes, and designs of various motifs, particularly flowers, Although rarely made of pure silk. |
Kutnu has been woven in Anatolia since Seljuk times.
With its brilliant colours and patterns, kutnu adds to the colourful displays in Istanbul's Kapaliçarşi Grand Bazaar. |
Kutnu fabric has been woven since the 13th century, reaching
the highest production levels in the late 19th century, when exports flourished, Until the 1960s nearly three thousand looms were still weaving kutnu in the province of Gaziantep alone, but today the last surviving elderly weavers are striving to preserve this ancient traditional fabric from extinction. With demand buoyant there is reason to hope that they will succeed. |