ABOUTH KILIM

“Kilim” is a Turkish word referring to the flat weaving technique or tapestry method. This carpet making method is different from the knotted stitch method (velvet look). Kilims are lighter-weight and more flexible.

They were born about 3,500 years ago in Central Asia, from where they extended to Eastern Europe, North Africa and later Western Europe. They are considered, therefore, the oldest carpets of the world. The nomadic origin of those who used it in the antiquity, made that they had a special feature in the weave of warp, flat and without knots, to avoid the passage of the sand of the desert, since they accompanied their owners like suitcases or like divisions in The stores they put together on trips. The designs were full of symbolism, desires, messages or orders for example the S-shaped motifs heralded a happy event. In general they were made without a previous pattern that gave them spontaneity and exclusivity to each piece, the current ones do not respect these traditions but maintain the agile spirit of the original fabric.

About the colors

Kilims from Anatolia (a Turkish region) are well known for their beauty and the diversity of their colors. The different colors come from plants or minerals. These colors were produced with traditional methods: by decoction, maceration and other processes.

About the motifs

Each motif comes from a symbol with numerous forms. Abstract, geometric and stylized animals as primitive motifs. These symbols of nomadic origin are the expression of beliefs and superstitions. The motifs change according to the tribes and the villages. This allows the geographic origin or the ethnic group at the origin of each kilim to be determined. Each composition is the work of a particular weaver whose style and inspiration comes from his family and from village traditions.