Kilims (a word of Turkish origin) are in a class of carpets of their own. In both its historical and contemporary aspects, Turkey is of prime importance as a source of kilims and related flatweaves. There is no doubt at all that the location of Turkey at the continental crossroads, where Europe meets Asia and the Mediterranean world, contributes greatly to the immense wealth of the country’s heritage, making it effectively the repository of the processes and achievements of cultures without number. The major difference between a kilim area rug and a carpet or a pile rug is that whereas the design visible on a pile rug is made by individual short strands of different color being knotted onto the warps and held together by pressing the wefts tightly, kilim designs are made by interweaving the variously colored wefts and warps, thus creating what is known as a flatweave. Weavers pack the weft tightly to completely cover the warp and often favor diagonal patterns to avoid weakening the structure of the rug with vertical slits. It produces bold, sharp patterns that weavers enjoy creating with more freedom allowed than a plainweave. This is also why kilims are so closely associated with geometrical designs even though there are are kilims with floral designs as well. Over the centuries, Turkish rugs have developed both as the result of internal sociopolitical changes as well as the influences and demands of the Western world. A storied craft with one of the richest bodies of material in the world, the art of Turkish rug weaving is an important facet of our shared history. Rustic tribal carpets woven in traditional rug weaving villages prove popular with Western consumers, who admired such pieces for their cultural verisimilitude. Turkey produces a tremendous variety of symbol-filled Anatolian rugs, palatial medallion carpets and decorative rugs that feature an assortment of Safavid Persian symbols and patterns depicted in a distinctly Turkish manner. With their muted tones with brighter highlights, they make extremely coveted decorative pieces for any interior designer. Antique Turkish Kilims presented by Live Art TV are original, natural-dyed high quality wool carpets.

9.5 x 4.5 ft