Vintage Dursunbey kilim from Turkey. 129x85 cms

A vintage prayer kilim from Dursumbey featuring two large medallions in the central field, surrounded by several smaller, similar medallions. In the lower section, there are also stylized birds. These medallions are echoed in the borders.

The prayer niche at the top includes serrated motifs and subtle color shifts, creating red and white striped patterns.

The kilim displays beautiful color variations throughout, known as abrash.

Dursunbey, formerly Balat, is a municipality and district of Balıkesir Province, Turkey. Dursunbey is noted for its wood and apples.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 129×85 cms

Origin: Dursunbey, Turkey

Date of weaving: 1970-80

 

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