Formal and Semantic Analysis of Gümüşhane Zilli Rug Motifs

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

Throughout history, societies have imbued their craft products with symbolic meanings through motifs, both as a means of expressing their cultural identities and as a way of transmitting them to future generations. This study examines the Zilli Kilim, a geographically indicated and regionally distinctive textile produced in the Kelkit, within the broader framework kilim culture. Building upon the formal and semantic classification of motifs commonly found weaving traditions, the research aims to interpret this singular example within the general context of Anatolian textile heritage rather than in isolation. The findings indicate that, semantically, the Zilli Kilim sustains the fundamental characteristics of the Anatolian weaving tradition, while formally it reflects distinctive symbolic interpretations derived from the beliefs and lifestyles specific to the region. By revealing the cultural meaning-making process embedded in Zilli Kilim motifs within the weaving tradition, this study seeks to contribute to the preservation and documentation of local identity.