"Their possessions are portable, practical and beautiful, deliberately made beautiful out of an original need for beauty."
From Harald Böhmer's book "Nomads in Anatolia".
Weaver at a loom in a nomad tent. 1960s. A loom was set into the ground on each side and dismantled for transport to be carried by camel to the next yayla (pastureland).
Photo: Harald Böhmer.
Kilim – Origin, Artistry and Meaning
A kilim is a woven rug that is more than just a beautiful object. It tells stories of people, of origin, and of time. Every kilim is handmade – often emerging from daily life, with great experience and feeling in its craftsmanship.
The kilim rugs in our collection are mostly 40 to 60 years old, some even older. They were made in various regions and have already lived a life before they came to us. Today, they continue to carry this history – visible in their patterns, colors, and the subtle traces of time. Each kilim is a silent, warm, unique piece with character.
Origin and Cultural Roots
The origins of the kilim are deeply embedded in the textile cultures of the Near East, particularly in regions of Anatolia, where weaving was not understood as a craft in the narrow sense, but as a part of life.
Only a few kilims are still made in their original form in Turkey today. The knowledge of material, patterns, and techniques has become rare and is increasingly being displaced by industrial production methods from East Asia.
Historically, kilims were closely linked to central life moments. They accompanied transitions, marked belonging, and carried symbolic meaning:
- as part of a daughter's dowry
- as textile equipment for nomads
- as precious objects, often not intended for everyday use
Many pieces were crafted with such care that their actual purpose became almost secondary – they were too valuable to be subjected to daily use.
Art of Weaving
The creation of a kilim is a slow, concentrated process.
Many of the pieces preserved today were woven by nomadic women and women from Anatolian villages, who, in their movement between landscapes, not only created textile surfaces but also portable spaces. This weaving tradition was passed down through generations – not as recorded knowledge, but as lived practice. Their work combined function, protection, and cultural narrative in a single object, with each line in the weave preserving traces of experience, rhythm, and origin.
Language of Patterns / Motifs
The patterns of a kilim are not decoration in the modern sense. They are a visual language.
Geometries, repetitions, and color contrasts emerge from traditional symbol systems that describe protection, life, nature, and transitions. Each kilim is thus both an object and a narrative.
Material and Structure
A kilim is flat-woven, without pile, reduced to structure and tension. This clarity makes it both lightweight and surprisingly durable.
The irregularity in the weave is not a flaw, but an expression of handicraft – a visible testament to human presence in the material.
Care
A kilim does not require complex care, but rather attention and restraint.
- regular, gentle vacuuming without brushes
- avoidance of chemical or aggressive cleaning agents
- protection from prolonged moisture
- occasional rotation for even wear
The substance of the kilim reacts sensitively to over-care – its strength lies in its reduction.
Use and Time
A kilim is intended for spaces that are lived in.
It changes with time without losing its identity. Traces of use are not a devaluation, but part of its biography.
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