Milas halısı

The story

Milas carpets are hand-knotted rugs with features particular to the Milas district of Muğla. A distinct Milas type is generally dated to the sixteenth century, beginning with small prayer rugs that carry a niche, the mihrap, at one end. Named styles include Ada Milas, Patlıcanlı, Cıngıllı Cafer, Gemisuyu and Elikoynunda.

Wool has been the main material since the eighteenth century, and natural dyes are still widely used: yellow from peach and apricot leaves, brown from walnut leaves and green from mint. Brown, reddish brown and a very dark yellow are the colours people know them by.

The village of Karacahisar near Milas weaves a medallion type with a large central field, the göbek. Milas Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası lists Milas El Halısı among the district's geographical indications.