Siirt Battaniye
Siirt battaniye are natural fiber woven creations that can be used as cozy throws, rugs, blankets, spreads, wall hangings or whatever other use one might want to make of them in creating a comfortable environment.
In living areas, siirts are used as cozy throws, rugs and furniture covers.
‘Battaniye’ is the Turkish word for blanket and Siirt is the town in southeast Turkey that’s known for producing these versatile pieces which are usually simply called “siirts.” They are made from the mohair wool of angora goats native to the region around Siirt and central Turkey. In fact, in Turkish angora is pronounced “ankara” as in the name of the central Turkish province of Ankara (and its capital) from which the angora goat gets its name.
As furnishings, siirts are appreciated for their comfort and austere, minimalist compositions. Their earth-toned color palette is achieved not by dyeing, but by weaving exclusively with the undyed natural colors of the angora goats’ wool: creme, white, tan, cinnamon, brown, gray and black.
Siirt textiles make great pillow covers, blankets and bedspreads for the bedroom.
The mohair fibers are woven in a simple plain weave and slit weave technique. After being cut from the upright loom, the textile’s smooth surface is made soft and fleecy, with the nap brought up by vigorously raking with a steel comb. (In the past, a tool made with heads of the native teasel plant was used to “tease” up the nap). Not only is a springy, soft pelt-like surface achieved, but further expert maneuvering with the steel comb yields subtle diagonal designs typical of siirts.
Dried teasel heads were the traditional tools used to “tease” up the nap of siirts.
Tradition holds that the fuzzy angora surface wards off insects, scorpions and even, it is said, snakes which can easily become entangled in its fiber, making headway across its surface difficult. In times past, shepherds wrapped up in siirt battaniye for nights afield with their flocks; tent-dwellers and householders spread them around their beds and shelters as barriers against crawling intruders.
Cicim motifs woven into mezer panels
Unlike most woven textiles from the Middle East which are produced by women, siirt battaniye are exclusively woven by men. This is logical if one considers that, though they are technically flat weaves, siirt battaniye have been historically classified as “woven felts” and the production of felts has traditionally been the domain of men. Only recently have some aspects of production been undertaken by women, such as the shearing, grading, washing and carding of the wool, but still the actual weaving remains with men.
The art of making siirrt battaniye is an ancient one. Its development was made possible by the local availability of the needed materials for the tools and fibers of its production. Because the surface looks like pile (but is not produced with tied knots as in actual pile rugs) siirt battnaiye are known as “faux-pile” creations, and because they were originally woven to resemble the pelts they replaced, are sometimes referred to as works of “faux-fur.” Textile researchers take a great interest in siirt textiles, for in their present-day production survives the ancient technique from which, it is thought, pile rugs evolved from flat-woven textiles.
Siirt battaniye are easy-care textiles. The mohair wool of angora goats, unlike other wools, such as that from sheep, has a very smooth shaft that resists soiling, so siirts don’t need cleaning as often as other wool products. Just a simple shaking refreshes, removing loose dirt and dander. If a piece does become soiled, dry-cleaning is recommended, although smaller siirts can be carefully hand-washed successfully.
These are both vintage and contemporary siirts with traditional motifs.