Vintage Barak kilim from Turkey. 156x111 cms

Vintage Kilim from Barak — Mother Goddess Motifs

A beautiful vintage kilim from Barak, featuring oversized elibelindes — stylized representations of the Mother Goddess, a powerful fertility symbol in Anatolian weaving tradition. These motifs are rendered with the distinctive curved arms typical of Barak kilims, giving the piece a unique and recognizable character.

The kilim displays a harmonious balance of warm and cool tones, creating a subtle and pleasing contrast. The main field features a stunning abrash — the natural variations in dye that bring depth and movement to the background, making each section of the rug feel alive and ever-changing.

A piece full of symbolism, craftsmanship, and visual richness — ideal for collectors or anyone drawn to the stories woven into traditional textiles.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 156×111 cms

Origin: Barak, Turkey

Date of weaving: 1970s

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 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.