Kelim carpets and rugs
Kelim would literally mean “flat woven. A Kelim is a woven tapestry or carpet without pile. Unlike many knotted Oriental carpets and thus have a pool. Kilims originate from Anatolia, now Turkey. But now we find mostly old rugs from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and new rugs from Afghanistan, Iran, Morocco and Pakistan.
A Kelim as wall insulation and mother
Persian and Oriental rugs were often made to order for the wealthy courts. But kilims, from and for the people.
The name carpet is not entirely applicable because the Kelim for many more purposes than was used on the floor of the tent or house them. They were also used as insulation in the walls or stuff to store. Many had even Kelim tent door. A large number were produced as bidkleed and pillows were made or stock bags and bags of salt. In a given marriage, several kilims which was sometimes common to have a mother to give.
Weaving techniques
There are several techniques for making the rugs. The so-called weft-faced technique are the warp and weft equivalent. In that technique is the thread of the weft thicker than the warp. By applying the slit-weave technique, the motives of very sharp lines. The patterns of the Kelim are usually equal on both sides making it difficult to see what the front and the back.
Sheep Breeds and climate
Kilims are as colorful as other Oriental carpets and rugs with a dozen different colors of wool or sometimes geitenwol or camel hair. In the past, the weaving of women’s work clothes. The treatment of wool was made by them of the quality sort of spinning and dyeing. Sheep Breeds and climatic conditions in which the herds were living affects the quality of wool. By a sheep to eat less food was delivered was better wool. The wool from the shoulders and neck was also suitable for use. Besides wool in the course of the last century more and more cotton is used. With cotton, the sharper patterns.
Kilims with contemporary designs
Initially, only natural dyes used. The vegetable dyes create bright colors like yellow ocher, cobalt blue, black and a bright terra tint. But with the advent of synthetic color palette could be expanded.
The loom could be used either flat or vertically. As the loom was too small to make a great dress were two equal parts to each other.
The ancient kilims are usually named after a region or village. Usually they were made in the winter and summer wandering nomads were back in their villages.
Today kilims often machine made. They are available in various prices and qualities. Currently, there are even kilims sale with modern contemporary designs.
Patterns with symbolism
A Kelim is primarily a commodity. Besides the practical applications with simple patterns, there are also works of art under the kilims which are now pleased to be hung on the wall decoration. The patterns often hidden symbolism. Common figures are: a comb, an amulet, a ram’s horn, an eye, a bird, a scorpion and running water, but also floral motifs and geometric patterns occur with a particular meaning.
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