Kilim

A Shahsavan kilim with typical geometrical symbols some of them of mythological inspiration such as the crab or ''scarabeus

'' A Kilim (or Kelim) (or berr in Kurdish), is a flatwoven rug, taking its name from the Turkish word for prayer rug. Kilims are produced by tightly interweaving the warp and weft strands of the weave to produce a flat (i.e. pileless) surface.

Because Kilims are much quicker, easier and cheaper to produce than 'standard' oriental carpets (i.e. pile carpets) they represent a good starting point for those just beginning to develop an interest in the collecting of carpets. Despite what many perceive as their secondary (or inferior) status to pile carpets, Kilims have become increasingly collectible in themselves over recent years, with quality pieces now commanding the prices that their workmanship rightly deserves.

What some sensed as inferiority was actually a different nature of rugs woven for indigenous use as opposed to rugs woven on a strictly commercial basis. Because Kilims were not a major article of export commerce there was not foreign market pressures changing the designs as there was with pile carpet. Once collectors began to value authentic village weaving the Kilims became popular.

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