Cushion cover with nazar motif from recycled rug
Material: Wool on wool
Size: 40 cm x 40 cm
"Nazar" is an important notion in Anatolia, the idea of the evil-eye. A few things are particularly at risk of "nazar" (or unspecified evil) happening to them. Vulnerable, and valuable people (particularly babies) are at risk, pets, important objects in the home, property, or other inanimate objects, or really in general any somewhat unfortunate thing happening. A baby getting sick at an inopportune moment, glasses/food plates being broken at an important gathering, and other such things.
The primary way to prevent the evil eye from striking you or your family is through "nazarlık," either evil-eye beads or evil eye motifs.
Muska has the same essential purpose of warding off evil. the designs aren't identical, though even the triangular shape of the muska is reminiscent of the eye-shaped nazar. Indeed, muska are simply a stylized form of typical nazar motifs. When these images are woven into kilims or other flatwoven products in Anatolia it's believed that they will help protect the family from evil. Of course, the fact that each design is striking and beautiful is just an added bonus!