Woven in the shadow of Mount Ararat, this runner exemplifies the pared-back, utilitarian sensibility of Kurdish village weaving from the middle decades of the twentieth century. Minimal in its design, the kilim reflects the natural materials of its making and the care with which it was crafted.
Undyed Wool Mélange
The kilim was hand-woven of undyed wool sourced from sheep reared at high elevations, providing a fine, lustrous fiber rich in lanolin. Stacked in end-to-end blocks of color, each section of the rug is woven in a natural range of warm earth tones: chocolate, brown sugar, and soft taupe.
The weave is heavy and durable, on a cotton foundation that adds structure and body. The weaver finished the rug ends with traditional braiding, a practical and decorative element that places it within the Kurdish weaving tradition.
A Restive Border Region
The Ararat region falls near the frontiers of present-day Turkey, Armenia, and Iran. The region birthed the short-lived Republic of Ararat, an attempt by Kurdish nationalists to establish an independent homeland in an age of fervent nationalism. The young Turkish Republic’s airpower brought the uprising to an end in the early 1930s, dealing a serious blow to Kurdish national aspirations, which have been thwarted by myriad regional and international powers to the present.
This rug was woven in the area surrounding Ararat within a generation of the movement’s downfall, its weaving proof positive that the region retained its Kurdish identity, even if the dreams of an independent homeland remain elusive.
Condition and Use
This rug is in excellent condition. Though likely never used on the floor, it was woven for heavy use, and can withstanding placement in high-traffic areas, such as hallways.
