This room-sized kilim, woven of undyed wool in naturally earth-toned hues, exudes warmth and pastoral charm. More than 100 years old, it exhibits a soft minimalism that evokes a contemporary sensibility without compromising character and authenticity.
Woven by hand in the borderlands of Persia and tsarist Russia
The kilim is woven of eight narrow panels joined into a large square format. Its undyed wool is rich in lanolin, heavy, and densely spun. The light-toned field reveals a broad palette of muted but naturally warm tones—from bone and khaki to dun—punctuated by lengthwise stripes in sepia brown.
The rug’s construction reflects its origins in a nomadic tradition shaped by seasonal migration and shifting political borders. It was woven by Shahsavan pastoralists in Azerbaijan, a geographic region in the rugged northwestern frontiers of turn of the century Persia, then abutting the southern frontiers of Tsar Nicohlas II’s Russian Empire (Hull and Luczyc-Wyhowska, Kilim: The Complete Guide, 1993, p. 196-209). The narrow looms used to make it were shaped by the need for mobility, allowing tribeswomen to complete a section of weaving in the limited time available before undertaking a seasonal migration.
Condition and Use
This rug is in excellent antique condition. Its undyed wool is dense, heavy, and supple. No conservation issues are noted. However, it has a small, faintly visible tea stain near one edge. As is common among nomadic panel kilims, its ends lack fringe. Rather, the edge is folded over and pressed into a seam that is sewn down with wool thread.
This rug is robust and will withstand heavy use. A rug pad is recommended to prevent movement, particularly when used on low-friction hard-surface flooring.
