Soumak Kelim | 134 x 101 cm | Nr. Z-1594

Soumak Kelim

Delivery time	2 days
Origin	Persia
Dimensions	134 cm x 101 cm (= 1.35 m²)
Construction	hand-woven
Material	Pile: wool
knots	-
Condition	pre-owned and cleaned
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Bright colours and simple patterns – that is what Kelims are known for. Kelims (also written 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 particularly well known and popular. In fact, rugs are hand-woven in every country where rugs are knotted.

The name Soumak is said to go back to the eastern Caucasian town of Shemakha, home – so the legend goes – to the most graceful dancers in the Caucasus. Another theory derives the name from the spice sumac, which was used among other things to dye wool a reddish tone. In Persia, the wrapping technique of Soumak Kelims is also called peech baff or kayegh. The oldest known Soumak Kelims were woven in the 7th century BC.

Material

Soumak Kelims are hand-woven and consist only of warp and weft threads. They therefore have no thick pile standing upright. The weft threads that form the pile of this Soumak are made of wool. Cotton was used for the warp threads. In the so-called wrapping technique used to make Soumak Kelims, the protruding weft ends are not woven back in and often hang loosely from the back of the Soumak Kelims. Soumak Kelims can therefore – unlike many other Kelims – only be used on one side. The Soumaks also lack the slits that are characteristic of many types of Kelim, as an additional weft thread is usually woven in as a continuous carrier.

Condition

This Soumak Kelim has a history. It was knotted around 46. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good but unrestored condition. We have not restored this Soumak 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 Soumak Kelim will give you pleasure for decades to come.