Kilims

Kilims are flat-woven textiles produced on a loom using a weft-faced technique in which the weft yarns cover the warp to create a smooth, pile-free surface. They are made by interweaving the weft with the warp; there are no pile knots, and many kilims employ a slit-tape method at color boundaries, which can create narrow vertical seams where colors meet. The weft threads are typically wool, sometimes cotton, and the warp is usually cotton or wool.

Kilims are produced across a wide geographic area, particularly in Anatolia (Turkey), Iran, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and Central Asia. They often feature geometric motifs and a palette drawn from natural dyes, such as madder, indigo, and cochineal. Regional styles differ in motif vocabulary and color schemes, with patterns typically created by the arrangement of colored wefts rather than by pile height. Common designs include diamonds, zigzags, and boteh shapes, and motifs are frequently imbued with symbolic meanings related to protection, fertility, or territory.

Historically, kilims served multiple practical roles, including as floor coverings, wall hangings, saddle pieces, and bags. In contemporary settings, they are valued as decorative textiles and collectibles, as well as functional floor coverings. Care for kilims generally involves regular light vacuuming, avoiding excess moisture, and professional cleaning when needed; textile dyes today vary in colorfastness, so care should reflect the specific dye used. Kilims remain a diverse and enduring form of traditional weaving, blending utilitarian function with artistic expression.