Old Kelim pouch | 82 x 39 cm | Nr. Z-1437

Old Kelim bag

Delivery time	2 days
Origin	Turkish
Dimensions	82 cm x 39 cm (= 0.32 m²)
Construction	hand-woven
Material	Pile: wool
knots	X
Condition	pre-owned, but in very good condition (cleaned & restored)
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Kelims (also Kilim, Qilim) were traditionally made only for the weavers' own use. Nomads and farmers used, and still use, their Kelims as rugs on the floor, but also as tent or wall hangings, blankets, cushions or – like this Kelim – as containers for transport. This Kelim bag was probably woven as a saddlebag for donkeys, camels or a bicycle. If you don't have a donkey or a camel, you can use the bag on your bicycle or to keep your newspapers and magazines in – there are no limits to your imagination.

Because Kelims were and still are constant companions in everyday life, their patterns – however naive they may look – always carry a personal message and hold meaning for the weavers and their families.

Kelims are hand-woven and consist only of warp and weft threads, so they have no thick, upward-facing pile. Kelims show the same pattern on both sides. The pattern is created by the coloured weft threads that are woven into the warp threads. A new thread has to be used for every new colour in every row. The thread ends are woven in as well.

In Europe, Kelims from Turkey, the Caucasus region, Iran, Afghanistan and the Turkmen cultural area are particularly well known and popular. In fact, rugs are hand-woven in every country where rugs are knotted.

This old Kelim bag is around 86 years old and a true collector's piece.

Material

Kelim bags are made from hand-woven Kelims. Once the weaving is done, the Kelims are sewn together into bags and – the finer bags in particular – embroidered by hand afterwards.

The Kelims that are made into Kelim bags consist only of warp and weft threads, so they have no thick, upright pile. Kelims show the same pattern on both sides and can therefore be used either way up. The pattern is created by the coloured weft threads that are woven into the warp threads.

The weft threads of this Kelim are made of hand-spun sheep's wool dyed with plant colours. Before the Kelim was woven, the sheep were first shorn and the wool was then cleaned, combed and finally spun. After spinning, the wool for the Kelim bags is dyed with natural colours in an elaborate process. Thanks to this traditional method, the pile of the Kelim bags feels dry and slightly furry. Wool was used for the warp threads.

Condition

This Old Kelim bag has a story to tell. It was knotted around 86. We have cleaned it thoroughly and lovingly restored it. Despite its age, it is therefore in very good condition.