Old Kelim | 473 x 71 cm | Nr. Z-1881

Mottled old Kelim runner, beige with all-over pattern (finely detailed)

Origin	Turkey
Dimensions	473 cm x 71 cm (= 3.36 m²)
Construction	hand-woven
Material	Weft (pile): wool (hand-spun, natural dyes) Warp: wool
Pile height	3mm
Year of manufacture	1980
Colour	Beige, multicoloured
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 40 years old and a real collector's piece.

Pattern

This Kelim has an enormous amount of character. The labyrinth-like background has a hypnotic effect and is incredibly detailed. The repeating elements in the central field of this Kelim have no specific centre (what is known as a repeat pattern). The recurring pattern feels calming without ever becoming boring. Rugs with a repeat pattern are also described as all-over patterned.

The surface of this Kelim has a mottled look. The shifts in tone and the light-and-dark shading of the pile yarn make the colours shimmer and keep the rug forgiving of dirt. These so-called colour shifts, abrash, give the rug a livelier feel. The mottling comes about because the wool of this Kelim was hand-spun. During dyeing, the natural pigments are absorbed to differing degrees.

The background of this Kelim is beige.

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.