Vintage Qashqai kilim from Iran. 240×147 cms

The Qashqai tribe does not use brown much, and if they do, it is usually a secondary color, not the main color as in this case. The design is arranged horizontally and framed by multiple borders. The wool is spun extremely fine, which allows for a very detailed and perfect design.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool   

Size: 240×147 cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe from Iran

Date of weaving: 1960s

Kilim from the Qashqai tribe of southern Iran. This vintage kilim was handwoven by a nomadic or village woman, using her own hand-spun and carded wool.

Kilims or Gilims are flatwoven textiles with a woollen weft on a woollen, goat hair or cotton warp. There are many different techniques and designs. The weaver normally works within a tradition of techniques, motifs and designs specific to a particular area or ethnic group. The designs relate to her natural surroundings, protection, fertility and the harmony of family relationships. Each weaver adds something from her own creativity and sense of composition. Kilims are often woven as part of a marriage dowry and can be used to create many different objects like storage bags, horse-blankets, baby carriers, blankets and wall and floor coverings.

This vintage kilim was hand-woven on a simple loom by a village or nomadic weaver for her own use. Probably the weaver used wool from her own sheep. The wool was first cleaned, then hand-carded, hand-spun and finally dyed by hand, often using natural dye materials like roots, nuts, berries, fruits, flowers and plants. Kilims from the last quarter of the twentieth century mostly use synthetic dyes. This kilim would have taken many months to complete.

All our kilims selected in the country of origin and are professionally washed and restored before we import them directly from Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan. Natural patina and charming imperfections in design and colour (abrash) are highly valued characteristics of hand-woven kilims.