Kelim | 295 x 199 cm | Nr. 179877

Kelim, dark red with all-over pattern (delicate) and border

Origin	Pakistan
Dimensions	295 cm x 199 cm (= 5.87 m²)
Construction	hand-woven
Material	Weft (pile): wool (hand-spun, natural dyes) Warp: wool
Pile height	3mm
Condition	new
Colour	Dark red
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 it is above all Kelims from Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan and the Turkmen cultural region that are known and loved. In fact, rugs are hand-woven in every country where rugs are knotted.

Pattern

This Kelim has an enormous amount of character. The intense, richly detailed pattern is almost hypnotic to look at. 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 decorated surround (border) forms a wonderful contrast to the centre and shapes the transition at the edge of the rug.

Dark red dominates the overall impression. The border is designed in dark red, cream white and olive green.

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.