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Kilims are unique woven textiles, hand made in the Middle East from the Balkans through to Pakistan. Each Kilim is diligently woven by hand using wool that has been dyed with natural pigment; due to the nature of the materials and techniques, no two Kilims are the same.
What is a Kilim?
The word Kilim is of Turkish origin, and refers to a versatile, pileless textile produced using various flat weaving techniques that have been practiced in the Middle East and neighbouring countries for thousands of years. Kilim rugs are often characterised by bright, bold geometric designs.
How is Kilim made?
Kilim rugs are made by flat weaving using two sets of wool ropes. A rope is passed over the same path repeatedly, while decorative images known as ‘motifs’ are formed by using multiple groups of ropes all dyed different colours.
History of Kilim
Over 8,000 years ago in Anatolia, or today’s modern Turkey, women wove Kilim for use in many functional everyday items. Even today, Kilims are used to make floor coverings, cushions, storage bags, tent decorations, saddlebags and many other practical, useful pieces. From the Çatalhöyük people through to the Hittites, the Romans, the Greeks, the Ottomans and many others, the people of Anatolia have preserved this art form while each person has added their own culture, way of life, and expression to the art of kilim-weaving.
The geometric motifs in these antique tribal rugs and weavings evolved directly on the loom. Traditional designs, whether religious, talismanic or totemic, were passed from one generation to the next, with each weaver creating subtle variations that reflected their own artistic personality and interest.
Symbols
The eye-catching motifs are derived from ancient symbols which have been used since time immemorial to inform, communicate and convey ideas. Over time some of these signs merged with myths, acquired hidden significance and moved into the world of esoteric symbolism. Due to the hidden forces they are believed to embody, their purpose is as psychological as it is decorative.
George Smith and Kilim
Kilims have always been an important part of our work at George Smith, and over the years we have built a reputation for our expertise in upholstering our furniture in Kilim. Working with Kilim is extremely challenging, owing to the thickness of the weave and the intricate patterns, but years of practice and a strong sense of artistry mean that our craftspeople continue to produce stunning, unique Kilim covered furniture for a wide variety of projects. The real skill lies in assessing how best to place the Kilim design on the furniture; cutting, pattern-matching and final application are all part of our upholstery team’s perfected skills.
We hand pick our authentic kilims, choosing the most striking designs and the most interesting shapes in a wide variety of colours to suit any George Smith piece.