Kilim

Kilim is a flat-woven textile produced by interlacing warp and weft on a loom, without the pile characteristic of knotted carpets. The weaving often uses a slit-tack technique, where color changes create narrow seams between motifs. Kilims are typically made from wool, with cotton or silk sometimes used for warp or decorative elements, and they may be dyed with natural or synthetic dyes.

Kilims have a long association with Anatolia (modern Turkey), the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and parts of the Balkans. They have served as floor coverings, wall hangings, and functional goods such as saddle bags and storage textiles. Patterns are usually geometric and may indicate tribal or regional affiliations, though interpretations vary and motifs are often reproduced in modern designs.

Traditionally woven by hand on horizontal looms, kilims reflect local materials, techniques, and aesthetics. Kilim weaving remains a living craft, with contemporary artisans continuing ancestral methods while also producing machine-made flat-weaves that resemble traditional kilims. Kilims are valued for color, pattern, and craftsmanship, and they play a role in cultural heritage and decorative arts.