Antique Kelim | 155 x 102 cm | Nr. Z-4177

Antique Kelim, light red with border and diamonds

Origin	Turkey
Dimensions	155 cm x 102 cm (= 1.581 m²)
Construction	hand-woven
Material	Weft (pile): wool (hand-spun, natural dyes) Warp: wool
Pile height	3mm
Year of manufacture	1880
Colour	Light red, multicoloured
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Glowing colours and simple, geometric patterns – that is what makes Kelims loved all over the world. 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, the patterns – however naive they may look – always carry a personal message and hold meaning for the weavers and their families.

In Europe it is above all Kelims from Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan and the Turkmen cultural region that are well known and much loved. In fact, rugs are hand-woven in every country where rugs are knotted. This antique Kelim is a collector's piece. It is around 140 years old, and that alone makes it a truly special piece. Antique rugs like this Kelim are as sought after as ever and are auctioned at top prices by renowned auction houses.

Pattern

The edge of the rug is framed by a surround (border). The border forms a splendid contrast to the centre.

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 light red and multicoloured tones. The border is worked in beige and multicoloured tones.

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Kelim. It had owners before you who valued it and used it. It was hand-woven around 1880. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good but unrestored condition. The pile is badly damaged. The fringes could do with a repair. We have not restored this Kelim because we feel it has a special charm just as it is. If you would like us to, we will of course be happy to restore the rug for you. Either way, this Kelim will give you pleasure 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.