Vintage Konya Sille Rug, 3.8 x 5.7 ft Handmade Wool Rug, Greek Anatolian Prayer Rug

A rare and culturally distinctive vintage handmade wool rug from Sille, Konya, featuring an elegant prayer-niche composition, floral ornamentation, and a design connected with the historic Greek Orthodox (Rum) weaving community of Sille.

The central field is dominated by a warm dusty red mihrab-shaped niche, creating a strong architectural focal point. Inside the field are delicate hanging ornaments, stylized floral forms, narrow column-like motifs, and a central medallion. Above the niche, the olive-toned section is filled with expressive branching and botanical forms.

A dark outer border surrounds the composition with repeating flowers, blossoms, vines, and botanical motifs, while narrow ochre guard borders complete the design. The palette combines dusty red, burgundy, olive green, mustard yellow, dark brown, ivory, soft lavender, pink, and warm earthy tones.

Approximately 100 years old, this rug displays the naturally softened colors, subtle irregularities, and historic patina expected from a genuine antique handmade textile.

About Sille and Its Greek Weaving Heritage

Sille is a historic settlement near Konya in Central Anatolia with a remarkable multicultural past. For centuries, the town was home to a significant Greek Orthodox community, traditionally referred to as Rum in the Ottoman context, alongside Muslim residents.

This long coexistence produced a distinctive local culture visible in Sille's architecture, religious buildings, decorative arts, and domestic crafts. Textile weaving was part of this broader household craft tradition.

Rugs attributed to Greek/Rum weavers of Sille are especially interesting because they represent the interaction of Anatolian weaving traditions with the artistic vocabulary of the local Greek Orthodox community. Designs can combine familiar Central Anatolian geometric structures with floral, architectural, devotional, and ornamental elements.

This rug is attributed to that Sille Greek/Rum weaving tradition, making it more than simply a decorative carpet—it is also a textile connected with the multicultural history of the Konya region.

About the Design

The rug has the visual structure of an Anatolian prayer rug, with a clearly defined mihrab or prayer-niche form occupying the central field.

Particularly notable elements include:

A tall mihrab-style architectural niche
A central floral medallion
Slender column-like decorative forms
Hanging ornamental motifs
Stylized flowers and botanical details
A richly decorated dark floral border
Strong contrast between the red field and olive upper section

These elements create an unusually elegant composition that works equally well as a floor textile or a decorative wall piece.

Details
Origin: Sille, Konya, Turkey
Region: Central Anatolia
Cultural Tradition: Sille Greek / Rum weaving tradition
Size: 117 × 175 cm
Size in Feet: 3.8 × 5.7 ft
Material: Wool
Age: Approximately 100 years old
Technique: Handmade / Handwoven
Design: Mihrab, floral, botanical, medallion, and architectural motifs
Colors: Dusty red, burgundy, olive green, mustard yellow, dark brown, ivory, lavender and pink
Condition: Antique condition with natural signs of age, patina, and use

Its 117 × 175 cm proportions make it suitable as a prayer rug, bedside rug, small area rug, reading-corner textile, wall hanging, or collectible Anatolian folk-art piece.

As a genuine handmade antique rug, slight variations in shape, pile, weave, motif placement, texture, and coloration are natural. These characteristics reflect its age and traditional craftsmanship and contribute to its individuality.

The rug will be carefully cleaned, washed, and ironed before shipping, so it arrives ready to use or display.