What Is a Kilim?
A kilim is a flat weave rug commonly made in Turkey, but also in other countries of Eastern Europe and the Orient. The lands of the Caucasus, Romania, Iran, Pakistan — many cultures create beautiful kilims. The difference between a kilim and other Oriental rug types is this:
- With hand knotted rugs, (the “classic” Oriental rug) knots of wool or other materials are tied around the foundation of the rug, made of warps (vertical strands) and wefts (horizontal strands). These knots create the pattern and the pile of the rug.
- A kilim does not use knotted material for the pattern. The warps are the foundation and the wefts provide the pattern. Thus, the kilim usually has no pile and the foundation wefts, instead of being manufactured from simple cotton strands, are made with the colorful fibers that make up the design.
As a result, kilims are light and very flexible. In the Near East, people commonly carry kilims with them for seating or prayers and they are used as furniture covers, wall hangings and area rugs. Kamran’s Oriental Rug Bazaar carries kilims from around the world, right here in Sacramento, in the many varieties of shapes and sizes that meet the needs of any household. We look forward to showing you the styles, colors and methods of each country that specializes in kilims.