CARPET DYES

The many colors of Turkish carpets are mostly derived from natural local materials. The list on the right describes the colors obtained from each material.

The wool is boiled with the dyeing material until the required shade is achieved, the longer the boiling the deeper the color.

Black - Gray - Natural White
Blue - Dark Blue - Pale Blue - Light Blue
Red - Cherry Red - Pink - Dark Pink - Maroon - Orange - Dusty Orange
Brown - Light Brown - Dusty Brown - Mushroom
Green - Olive - Slate Green - Light Slate Green - Pale Green
Yellow - Camel - Caramel - Pale Yellow - Beige - Ivory

Some Turkish carpets are produced using only the natural color of the wool using no dye at all. Colors include varying shades of black, brown and ivory.

All colors are subdued unless described otherwise.
Different shades depend on the boiling time.
Some colors are achieved using a mixture of different color dyes.

BLACK SHEEP'S WOOL
Black

WHITE SHEEP'S WOOL
Natural White (Ivory)

MULBERRIES
Blue
Slate Gray

LICORICE - ONION SKINS
Red -
Cherry Red -
Pink -
Dark Pink -
Maroon
Brown
Orange
Dusty Orange

WALNUTS
Light Brown
Mushroom

SAGE
Green
Olive
Slate Green
Pale green

TOBACCO LEAF
Ivory
Beige

OLIVES
Yellow