Turkish kilim rug, produced mid/late 1800s. Yellow vegetable dye used in its coloration suggests it may have been made c. 1860s. 

Provenance: Acquired at Kane County Flea Market in Illinois. 

Size: 51 x 36 in. 

#2337 #21 . 

A kilim is a flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug traditionally produced in countries of the former Persian Empire, including Iran, but also in the Balkans and the Turkic countries. Kilims can be purely decorative or can function as prayer rugs. Modern kilims have become popular floor coverings in Western households. The word originates from the Persian “galim,”which means “to spread roughly.” Kilims are produced by tightly interweaving the warp and weft strands of the weave to produce a flat surface with no pile. They are beloved by collectors, as they produce very sharp-etched designs, emphasizing the geometry of the weave. The weft strands, which carry the visible design and color, are almost always wool, whereas the hidden warp strands can be either wool or cotton. Many motifs are used in Turkish kilims, particularly the elibelinde, a stylized female figure representing motherhood and fertility. Other motifs express desires for protection from wolves, scorpions, and the Evil Eye. Less durable than other weaves, kilims made during or before the 19th Century are considered priceless by collectors, as most were made by skilled nomadic weavers and few survive more than a hundred years due to regular use.

Some holes and tears throughout.