Perde are flatweave panels traditionally woven by nomadic tribes of Southeast Anatolia since the 1850s. Often referred to as Anatolian tent dividers, they were an essential part of daily village life.
Today, designers and decorators use Perde as striking wall hangings, dramatic window treatments, or soft room dividers. They bring warmth, colour, texture, and a strong sense of verticality to a space. Their bold striped compositions pair beautifully with plain upholstery and work equally well as a single statement piece or as a balanced pair flanking a doorway or bed. Perde translate effortlessly into modern interiors, offering a distinctive and impactful visual presence.
The pieces shown on the following pages date primarily from the late 20th to early 21st century and are in good condition. They will be available to view and purchase at www.floren.com in the coming days.
Traditionally, Perde were woven on narrow nomadic looms. Each panel was dyed using natural pigments and then joined together using a distinctive shepherd’s stitch. Within black goat-hair tents, they served multiple practical purposes: creating privacy between family areas, acting as doorway curtains, functioning as wall hangings, and even being used in agricultural contexts or as storage textiles.
These textiles also held wider cultural significance, with their linear designs and bold compositions influencing elements of the Bauhaus movement. Production continued until the 1980s, after which the tradition largely disappeared.
Many Perde are constructed from multiple narrow wool panels hand-stitched together, which is why you often see between three and seven joined strips forming a single large hanging. Today, panels can be carefully unpicked and reassembled by skilled artisans in Turkey, using complementary yarns to create new compositions. We regularly collaborate with clients to develop bespoke layouts.
Attributions such as East Anatolian, Central Anatolian, Sivas region, or Urfa Kurdish reflect the specific weaving groups and regional patterns. Techniques range from simple striped flatweaves to more intricate cicim (brocaded) work, characterised by strong linear designs, tribal motifs, and vivid natural-dye colours.
Perde can be cleaned in much the same way as other wool textiles, although professional cleaning is recommended. If washing at home, use cool water with a wool-specific shampoo, or add a small amount of vinegar. Rinse thoroughly.
Photo: Dreweatts Auction House
