Old Kelim | 350 x 91 cm | Nr. 17104

Geometric old Kelim runner, dark blue with diamonds

Origin	Turkey
Dimensions	350 cm x 91 cm (= 3.19 m²)
Construction	hand-woven
Material	Weft (pile): wool Warp: wool
Pile height	3mm
Year of manufacture	1930
Colour	Dark blue, Dark brown
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Bright colours and simple, geometric patterns – that is what makes Kelims loved the world over. 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 bags. Because Kelims were 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.

In Europe, Kelims from Turkey, the Caucasus region, Iran, Afghanistan and the Turkmen cultural area are especially well known and loved. In fact, rugs are hand-woven in every country where rugs are knotted. This old Kelim is around 90 years old and a real collector's piece.

Pattern

The abstract, geometric composition is what gives this Kelim its understated elegance. The pattern flatters the design of the room without drawing attention away from the furniture, the décor or the architectural features. It settles beautifully into any setting and complements the furnishings of a room in a subtle way.

In the pattern of this Kelim it is the diamonds that stand out most. A diamond is a rhombus standing on one of its points, and in the Oriental rug its four equal sides can be serrated, stepped or set with hooks. The diamond is one of the oldest basic forms in the Oriental rug. In the Islamic world it carries a symbolic meaning: it stands for the immortality of the soul. That is why it is so often found as a filler motif.

The overall impression is dominated by dark blue and dark brown.

Condition

This Kelim has had admirers before you. It was hand-woven around 1930. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good but unrestored condition. The pile has grown a little thinner over the years and shows a few holes. The edges and fringes of the rug are damaged in places and could do with a repair. We have not restored this Kelim because we feel it has a special presence just as it is. If that is what you want, we will of course be happy to restore the rug for you. Either way, this Kelim will bring you joy for decades to come.

Material

Kelims are hand-woven and consist only of warp and weft threads, so they have no thick pile standing upright. 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 woven into the warp threads. For every new colour, a new thread has to be used in each row. The thread ends are worked in as the weaving goes along.

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