Antique Rugs > Vintage Rugs > Kilims > Antique Kilim Rugs – the Pure Essence of a Rug’s Beauty

Antique Kilim Rugs – the Pure Essence of a Rug’s Beauty

Kilim ( Kelim or Gilim ) is a term used for popular Persian hand-made rugs, as well as designation of the technology applied during their production. Persian kilims are manufactured mainly by nomads in the form of carpets, curtains and bags used in tents. The best-known Persian rugs are Sumakh, Senneh, Fars and Kashkai. Kilim rugs are also woven in many other regions besides Iran.

One can find rugs from Afghanistan, Turkey and Moldavia. Some exaples of Afghan rugs are Galmuri , Maim, Maliki and Golbarjasta. The border area between Afghanistan and Iran is a home to the nomadic people of Baluch (known also as Beluch) who usually weave rugs in dark colors. Some of the woven rugs contain additional elements of nodes. For example Golbarjasta rugs from Afghanistan – each of them is enriched with a delightful uplifted area.

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The Kilim carpets occur in many different designs and colors. Mostly rectangular forms or flower patterns are used, alluding to the used weaving technique. We observe a high demand for Kilim rugs because they fit perfectly into the stylish, minimalist design. Many people choose Kilim to hang it on the wall instead of paintings to create an oriental atmosphere at home. Most of kilims are two-sided and can be reversed to the other side, if there is a need for it, which extends their life further.

Moldovan kilims are easy to recognize because of the special rose patterns that characterize these carpets. Sometimes they are also called rosey rugs, and those have a slightly darker color; the roses are red or pink with green accents of the leaves.

Weaving kilims has very deep roots in Turkish tradition. Today Turkish kilims are sold under many different names, such as Kars, Van, Balkan, Malatya and Sakröy.

The area of the kilim rug consists of weft threads that are wrapped around them to form a pattern of the carpet with characteristic small slots. By applying this technique craftsmen create the traditional step-formed patterns and that is the reason why the rug looks the same from both sides. Typically the ends of the yarn are hidden, but some kilims are prepared in such a way that the fibers hang freely over the carpet, for example in case of Sumakh rugs. 

 

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In the manufacture of kilim rugs only natural materials such as wool and silk are used. Silk is added to enrich the most sophisticated rugs. Paints that are used to dye yarns are made of vegetable and mineral components and this results in beautiful, natural color tones of carpets. Such choice of materials gives the kilims exceptional durability. On the market one can find rugs which are antique and also very well preserved.

Inviting a Kilim rug to your interior you also choose grace and a centuries-old tradition of this exceptional weaving technique.

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