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A Kilim Story

kilim loafers

 

Much like a Patek Philippe, a Turkish kilim rug is a treasure to be passed down for generations. Authentic Turkish carpets are hand-knotted using a double knot and can take months or even years to complete. They represent motifs, designs, colors, and patterns that respond to a "kilim language" through which the weaver would express her hopes, fears, loves, and anxieties. Some of the most popular motifs are symbols for good fortune, fertility or protection against the evil eye and those that represent basic human needs such as water or family.

Traditionally woven in the Anatolian region by nomad tribes to cover the flooring of their tents, they were also popular in palaces and homes of wealthy people who highly regarded them as true works of art. Ottoman sultans presented sumptuous kilims carpets to other rules as gifts so we can find examples of ancient kilim rugs in palaces all over Europe.
Regardless of its vintage and its condition, a fine Turkish rug is very valuable and its worth may increase over time. It is not difficult to understand why, when a rug was damaged, it was mended, when there was no possible way to fix it, it was shortened and when it could not even be used as a small prayer mat it still was not thrown away. Nowadays there are kilim pillows, kilim, bags and of course, kilim shoes made from repurposed damaged vintage kilims, there are also kilim rugs made from bits and pieces of other rugs and are used as well to upholster all kinds of furniture; finally, very damaged antique rugs are being dismantled to recover the hand-spun yarn and used to make other rugs.
This is a true sign of appreciation of the work of artisans who wove the kilim rug with patience and care and is also a reminder for us to value, share and bet for durable and high-quality objects that we want to keep and pass down to our children.