Kilim is a flat tapestry-woven carpet, traditionally made in tribal areas of Southwestern Asia, especially Anatolia in modern-day Turkey. Kilims are also produced by artisans in Iran, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, the Caucasus countries, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and around the Mediterranean.
Handcrafted kilims have been around for centuries, and they still adorn the floors, walls, and furniture of many modern homes.
Kilim is made on a loom using a weft-faced plain weave, usually from wool, and often with supplemental threads of silk, cotton, or animal hair. Designs are primarily geometric and floral, created by repeating vertical and horizontal motifs, often in multiple colors, and their bright vitality is one of the things that make kilim such a beloved decorative art-form.
The exact origin of kilim is unknown, but researchers suggest that it dates back to as far as the 4th century AD. It is probably descended from Anatolian tapestry, which was common by the Roman Period and which is documented in Neo-Assyrian reliefs at the British Museum.
Early kilims were very basic and were used mainly as sacks, hammocks, and wall-hangings, with designs mainly inspired by nature. It wasn’t until the 14th century that kilim weaving began to be used as a functional art-form, with the designs becoming more varied and intricate, often including regional symbols and tribal motifs.
Kilim has come to be seen as an expression of regional culture, and it has been an important part of the cultural and spiritual life of Anatolia for centuries. It is also recognized around the world as an example of the beauty that can arise from clear and distinct designs created with simple materials.
Which country is kilim?
Kilim is a type of flat-woven carpet that originated in the Middle East and is believed to have been in production for thousands of years. It is made by interweaving and knotting wool, silk, and/or cotton threads onto a woolen base cloth, with geometric and/or floral patterns known as the Kilim motif.
Today kilim carpets are mostly handmade in Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Armenia, and the countries of the North Caucasus.
What is a Moroccan rug called?
A Moroccan rug is a type of floor covering traditionally handwoven in the Middle East. The weavers of Moroccan carpets are known for their intricate designs, vibrant colors and use of only natural fibers.
Moroccan rugs are known by many different names, such as kelims, souks, taznakht, Boucherouite and azilals. Depending on the region, the style of rug made can vary greatly. Often hand-knotted wool is used, as it is more durable and holds colors better than other materials.
From the vintage to contemporary styles, the craftsmanship and detail in Moroccan rugs make them perfect for adding a touch of style and color to any room.
What makes a rug Moroccan?
A Moroccan rug is a type of flat-woven floor covering that is typically made from wool fibers or combined wool and cotton fibers. It is characterized by its intricate designs and its bold colors, which are often influenced by the region’s traditional Islamic, Byzantine, and African motifs.
Moroccan rugs generally feature geometric shapes and intricate details, like stars, stripes, and diamonds, in addition to motifs of plants and animals. The strong pigment colors used for these rugs usually come from high-quality natural dyes.
Moroccan rugs can also be characterized by their knots per square inch, which can range from extremely low to very high. Additionally, the rugs are quite heavy and often take several days to weeks to weave by hand.
In the past, Moroccan rugs were often produced in workshops and handed down from one generation to another, ensuring quality and craftsmanship. Today, many of these rugs remain popular as a unique way of bringing an exotic touch to any room, transforming it with flashes of light and energy.
How can you tell if a Moroccan rug is real?
The best way to tell if a Moroccan rug is real is to look for certain characteristic markings and symbols. Consider the type of Rug, like a Berber rug, or a Beni Ourain rug. Genuine Moroccan rugs will often feature unique geometric designs and shapes, along with stripes, and will often include traditional Berber symbols such as zig-zags, diamonds, hexagons, stars, crosses, and various other symbols.
The color scheme is also a tell-tale sign – authentic Moroccan rugs will have bright, vivid colors that have faded over time. Additionally, you should inspect the rug to check for handmade knotted or woven fabric on the fringes, as opposed to machine-made rugs which are usually easily visible.
Finally, a valuable and authentic Moroccan rug will usually have a certification of authenticity that can be checked with a specialist dealer.
Why do Moroccan rugs have fringe on one side?
Moroccan rugs, also known as beni ourain rugs, are famed for their fringe on one side. This fringe is made of leather, wool or goat hair, and is an integral part of the traditional weaving of Moroccan carpets.
The fringe serves both decorative and practical purposes. Aesthetically, the fringe adds a unique and eye-catching addition to the rugs, making them instantly recognisable. Functionally, the fringe protects the rug itself — the fringes ensure the rug stays intact even when walked on by humans or animals, and keep the threads from unraveling.
It also allows for better air circulation around the rug, which helps it last longer. Finally, the fringe is said to carry spiritual significance. For example, a rug with fringe on either four sides is thought to represent protection from the four cardinal directions, while fringe on three sides stands for the past, present and future.
What is a Rabat rug?
A Rabat rug is a type of handmade carpet that originated in the city of Rabat, Morocco. Rabat rugs are traditionally made from wool, although modern ones may also include cotton and other materials. The rugs are woven on a loom by skilled artisans who often use traditional patterns handed down from generation to generation.
Rabat rugs can feature geometric, floral, or abstract designs, and typically showcase bold, dazzling colors. The rugs are known for their intricate designs, excellent craftsmanship, and durability. They are perfect for adding a touch of elegance and cultural richness to any home.
Rabat rugs are sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of handmade carpets and can often be found in various stores that specialize in both modern and vintage rugs.
What are Berber rugs made from?
Berber rugs are traditionally handmade rugs created by the Berber people of North African countries, such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Northern Mali. Historically, Berber rugs have been created by female weavers using wool from their own sheep, often blended with recycled textiles.
The colors used to dye the wool are usually vibrant and varied, and the patterns are usually geometric or abstracted depictions of Berber culture and animals. The textures of Berber rugs vary depending on their weaving techniques.
Most traditionally woven Berber rugs create a medium-weight, durable fabric that is designed to be both comfortable and long-lasting. Since Berber rugs have become more popular in recent years, they can also now be found made of synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, and nylon.
How do you identify kilim?
Kilim is a type of floor covering made from interwoven wool or cotton fibers. To identify whether a rug is a kilim, look for a flatweave texture and brightly colored geometric patterns. The flatweave texture is usually softer to the touch than other rug types, since the fabric is not looped together.
Kilims often feature geometric patterns with sharp angles and shapes, as well as stripes and other more traditional designs. They will often feature multiple colors and shades of wool or cotton that are woven into the design.
Kilims made out of wool tend to be more durable while those made with cotton are softer and less durable. To further verify that a rug is a kilim, look at the back of the rug and check if the design has been woven into the back – this is a clear indicator that it is a kilim.
How do I know where my rug came from?
In order to determine where your rug came from, there are a few different steps you can take. First, look for any tags or writing on the back or fringe of the rug. If your rug has tags or writing, you may be able to find the name of the manufacturer or the country of origin.
If there are no tags or writing, you can examine the colors and patterns in your rug. Different regions and cultures have distinct patterns, colors and motifs that are often used to identify where a rug is from.
By examining the particulars of your rug, you can often pinpoint where it’s from.
You can also take your rug to an authorized rug dealership or expert. These experts are adept at identifying where a rug comes from and can often tell you right away once they view it. To further aid in the process, it’s a good idea to bring photographs of your rug and information on where and when you purchased it.
Finally, checking the labels of other items you possess and were sold as a set with your rug can often help you determine its origin. If you bought the rug as part of a furniture set or commissioned art installation, any documents or contracts that you signed along with your purchase can prove to be invaluable in determining your rug’s origin.
Are kilims Turkish?
Yes, kilims are traditionally found in Turkey, but they can also be found in other countries throughout the Middle East such as Iran, Syria, and Azerbaijan. Kilims are flat-woven carpets or rugs that have geometric patterns and designs that have been passed down from generation to generation.
They have been used as decorative pieces in homes for centuries, and are still a big part of Turkish culture today. Kilims also make great contemporary home decor pieces since their bright colors and patterns can easily be incorporated into any style home.
What are Turkish Kilims?
Turkish Kilims are colorful, flat-woven tapestries featuring repeating geometrical patterns. Kilims are traditionally handwoven in Anatolia, the Turkish heartland, and are instrumental to Turkish culture and customs.
Kilims come in various sizes and design motifs, and were traditionally used as rugs, wall hangings, horse blankets, and floor coverings. The geometric patterns and symbols within a Turkish Kilim hold special meaning dependent on the region and period in which the Kilim was created.
Considered both art pieces and functional objects, Turkish Kilims are prized around the world. They are often passed down through generations and form part of the collective cultural memory in Turkey.
Why are kilim rugs so expensive?
Kilim rugs are extremely expensive because of the amount of time, skill, and materials that are used in their production. Kilim rugs are handmade rugs that feature intricate patterns and designs, created with natural wool, cotton, or silk fibers.
This type of rug requires an extremely skilled weaver who uses a special technique known as flat-weaving to create the distinctive designs. It can take days, weeks, or even months to complete one kilim rug depending on its size and design complexity.
Further, these finely crafted pieces often come from rural parts of the world, and they are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike. Given their intricate nature, rarity, and the difficulty of acquiring them, kilim rugs can typically command high prices.
What is Kilim made of?
Kilim is traditionally made of wool, although today cotton and synthetic fibers are used as well. They usually feature bold designs and bright colors, made by interweaving flat strips of yarn. Each strip is about one centimeter wide, and the weaver knots the yarn together to make tight, intricate geometric patterns.
These patterns often represent symbols from the region’s cultural heritage, and can depict motifs such as stars, dragons, and trees. Kilim carpets are highly durable and are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of handmade carpets.
They are also easy to care for and often last for decades, providing a unique and timeless piece of decoration in any home.
What is the difference between a Dhurrie and a kilim?
A dhurrie is a flat-weave rug that is hand-crafted in India. It is usually made from wool or cotton, with geometric designs and bold colors that are usually more muted than those of a kilim. Kilims, on the other hand, are a type of rug that comes from the Middle East, Turkey and Central Asia and are made of wool, cotton or silk.
They feature intricate geometric patterns often with bolder, brighter colors. The weaving style used to create kilims is known as asymmetric knotting, in which the warp and weft yarns are interlocked to form an intricate, reversible pattern.
Unlike dhurries, kilims are often hung on walls or draped over furniture for decorative purposes.
Can I put a kilim rug in the washing machine?
No, you should not put a kilim rug in the washing machine. Washing machines use a combination of heavy agitation, hot water, and harsh detergents, which can cause the wool fibers of a kilim rug to break apart and fray, ruining the rug.
In addition, the noise, pressure, and temperature of a typical washing machine can also be damaging to a kilim rug’s colors, dyes and design pattern. To properly clean a kilim rug, it should be taken to a professional rug cleaner or gently spot cleaned with a mild soap and warm water.