The history and culture of Kilim rugs
The first wool Kilim rugs were woven out of necessity. Nomadic tribes traversed Anatolia (now Türkiye) and Persia (now Iran) and the rugged Caucasus mountains. These communities lived in yurts, and required a covering for the frosty ground.
Kilim rugs were flat-woven and lightweight, and therefore easy to transport from place to place. They were created for everyday use and rarely traded. This is important because it meant that Kilim rugs were less subject to foreign pressures and preferences.
Women were the primary weavers, and the process could take weeks, even months, to complete. Wool from their own sheep was spun into thread, dyed with plants, minerals, and even insects; indigo for blue, saffron and turmeric for yellow, madder root for an earthy red, walnut hulls for brown, and so on.
Instead of the piled, fluffy weave we see in more traditional rugs, Kilims were woven flat, with the warp threads held tightly by the weft, creating sharp, clean edges to the patterns. This technique resulted in beautifully textured, reversible rugs that could withstand the elements.
All handwoven Kilim rugs contained rich patterns, but these designs weren’t random; a single diamond might represent protection, a zigzag could signify the flow of water or lightning, and a tree-like motif might be a tribute to life and growth.
Since the first antique Kilim rug, these designs have reflected the tribes’ connection to nature, spirituality, and the challenges of their environment.
What makes Kilim rugs so high quality?
Kilim rugs are some of the hardiest, and most affordable handmade rugs that money can buy – especially compared to Persian rugs, and some of the more expensive Afghan styles.
That being said, they can still seem like a high upfront investment when judged against the machine-made rugs from your local department store. So, let’s have a look at what makes this style of rugs so high quality.
- Time and skill
Kilim rugs are flatwoven, meaning made without knots. Instead, the threads of the weft (horizontal) are tightly interlaced with the warp (vertical).
This technique requires great skill and precision and produces intricate patterns which are difficult to replicate in knotted rugs. The entire process can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks.
- Durability
Because the rugs are flatwoven, both sides show the same design. This means that both sides of the rug can be used, effectively doubling their lifespan.
The absence of a pile also reduces the risk of shedding and wear and tear.
- Material
A kilim rug is made from natural, hand-spun wool, often sourced from the fat-tailed sheep, a particular breed local to Afghanistan. This kind of sheep has thick, durable wool.
This wool is dyed naturally, using organic components like plants, roots, insects and minerals. Because the rugs are naturally dyed, they age beautifully over time and, even when faded, are a stunning centrepiece for any room.
Other types of Afghan rugs
This part of the world has a rich and diverse history of rug-making, with many different styles of pattern and technique.
Some rugs are named in honour of the masters who popularised the style, others for the tribes in which they originated.
Let’s look at some popular styles of Afghan rugs that can be found in KnotNCo’s collection.
‘Chobi’ literally translates to wood – this style tends to be more neutral, with a classic, flowing Ziegler Floral design in beige, gold, brown, and green.
Originating from the Caucasus region, and features deep reds, blues, greens and golds in sharp, geometric designs.
Originally handwoven in northern Afghanistan by Turkmen tribes, this style traditionally has deep reds in a repeating geometric or octagonal ‘gul’ motif, sometimes with black or dark blue accents.
This style is dominated by the same octagonal ‘gul’ patterns as Khal Mohammadi rugs in red and brown tones.
These rugs owe their name to the area of Afghanistan in which they originated and showcase bold reds in intricate geometric motifs.
Mowri Gul rugs are known for smaller and more intricate designs in vibrant reds and blues, while Khoja Roshnai rugs showcase detailed floral and geometric patterns that are typically lighter in tone.
From Kazak to Chobi rugs and our remarkable selection of Kilim rugs online, KnotNCo is exceptionally proud of our authentic range. Today, thousands of years after the first Kilim rug was woven, we bring the tradition to Australian homes.
Direct from local craftspeople, you can buy Kilim rugs in Sydney today.