Sümer Kars Handwoven Carpet

The Sümer Kars Handwoven Carpet is a traditionally crafted carpet produced within Turkey’s borders, registered with a geographical indication. It was announced in the Official Gazette on September 1, 1996, under Decree Law No. 555 on the Protection of Geographical Indications and registered on November 14, 1997, in the name of Kars Municipality. This registration aims to protect the carpet’s production technique, material structure, and regional characteristics.

^{Sümer Kars El Halısı} (Culture Portal)

The Sümer Kars Handwoven Carpet is woven using the double knot technique (Turkish knot). Its typical quality measure is 22x28, with 616 knots per square decimeter. The pile height ranges between 10 and 14 mm. The yarns used in its production are entirely wool and vary in thickness:

• Pile yarn: 2.5/2 Nm wool
• Warp yarn: 4/3 Nm wool
• Thick weft yarn: 4/4 Nm wool
• Thin weft yarn: 4/4 Nm wool

Material consumption reflects the carpet’s dense and durable structure. Approximately 4,450 grams of wool is used per square meter, with 3,150 grams for the pile, 700 grams for the warp, 400 grams for the thick weft, and 200 grams for the thin weft.

The geographical indication protection of the Sümer Kars Handwoven Carpet is ensured through continuous inspections during production and marketing. Inspections are conducted by relevant regional directorates, factory directorates, and quality control commissions. Carpets produced contrary to the technical specifications cannot bear the name “Sümer Kars Handwoven Carpet.” This practice aims to preserve the product’s traditional structure and regional identity.