Semi-antique Bakhtiari kilim from Iran. 237x93 cms

This semi-antique funky kilim runner  was originally a nomadic kilim woven in two pieces that has been separated to make it a narrow and long kilim. This piece combines three different techniques: knotted (carpet), kilim and soumak. It is entirely woven with sheep´s wool (undyed for the ivory areas) except for the long hair which is woven with goat´s wool. 

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool and goat hair

Size: 237×93 cms

Origin: Bakhtiari tribe from Iran

Date of weaving: 1960s

The Bakhtiari (also spelled Bakhtiyari; Persian: بختیاری) are a Lur tribe from Iran. They speak the Bakhtiari dialect of the Luri language.

Bakhtiaris primarily inhabit Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and eastern Khuzestan, Lorestan, Bushehr, and Isfahan provinces.

A small percentage of Bakhtiari are still nomadic pastoralists, migrating between summer quarters and winter quarters. Numerical estimates of their total population vary widely.

Due to their luck of escaping danger throughout their history, they called themselves bakhtiyar (“fortunate”).

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.