Vintage Sivas kilim from Turkey. 177x142 cms

Unusually Colored Vintage Kilim from Sivas in Deep Purple

This striking vintage kilim from Sivas stands out for its rare and beautiful deep purple background—a truly unusual color in Anatolian weaving. Woven in two halves and carefully joined together, this technique reflects the weaver’s use of a small loom, a traditional method used to achieve the desired width.

The rich purple base features a lovely abrash—natural variations in color that add depth and character. Over this background, the weaver has used the cicim technique to create a sequence of colorful motifs arranged horizontally, adding vibrant contrast and texture.

Woven in wool and relatively thin in structure, this kilim is a versatile piece—ideal for use as a floor covering or as a decorative wall hanging.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 177×142 cms

Origin: Sivas, 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.