Kelim | 152 x 108 cm | Nr. 20253

Geometric Kelim, beige with diamonds

Origin	Pakistan
Dimensions	152 cm x 108 cm (= 1.64 m²)
Construction	hand-woven
Material	Weft (pile): wool (hand-spun, natural dyes) Warp: wool
Pile height	3mm
Condition	new
Colour	Beige
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Glowing colours and simple, geometric patterns – that's why Kelims are loved all over the world. Kelims (also Kilim, Qilim) were traditionally made for the weavers' own use only. 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.

Especially well known and loved in Europe are Kelims from Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan and the Turkmen cultural sphere, where they are well known and much loved. In fact, rugs are hand-woven in every country in which rugs are knotted.

Pattern

In the pattern of this Kelim, it is above all the diamonds that catch the eye. A diamond is a rhombus standing on one of its points; in an Oriental rug its four equal sides can be serrated, outlined or set with hooks. The diamond is one of the oldest basic forms in Oriental rugs. In the Islamic world it carries a symbolic meaning: it stands for the immortality of the soul. That is why it appears so often as a filler motif.

The abstract, geometric composition is what gives this Kelim its understated elegance. The pattern flatters the design of the room and never draws attention away from the furniture, the décor or the architectural features. It fits beautifully into any setting and complements the furnishings of a room in a subtle way.

The background of this Kelim is dark brown. Beige also dominates the overall impression.

Material

Kelims are hand-woven and consist only of warp and weft threads, which means they have no thick, upward-facing pile. Kelims show the same pattern on both sides and are therefore usable on both sides. The pattern is created by the coloured weft threads that are woven into the warp threads. Every new colour calls for a new thread in each row. The thread ends are worked into the weave.

The weft threads of this Kelim rug are made of hand-spun sheep's wool dyed with plant dyes. Before the rug was woven, 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.