Do you know what a kilim is? Or how does it differ from a carpet, moquette, or other floor coverings? A kilim is a thin handwoven floor covering that, unlike a carpet, doesn’t have lint. Woven together on a rug loom, the kilim warp is made from goat or sheep wool, cotton, and, sometimes, silk, while the weft is made of dyed animal down or wool. An ancient craft, kilim weaving, has been practiced historically by every woman in nomadic tribes and villages.
Thanks to their decorative quality, kilims have now found more incredible popularity worldwide. In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at the history of the kilim and learn about its various types.
History of Persian Kilim Rugs Weaving
Although it’s not sure where kilims first appeared, archaeological studies and evidence show that people inhabiting the Iranian Plateau and the neighbouring regions were the first to weave kilims. Also, evidence from caves southeast of the Caspian Sea indicates that people in the area practiced animal husbandry and span sheep wool about 8,000 years ago.
What Is the Differences Between Kilim and Rug?
- Rugs and Kilim rugs differ in the type of knots and weaving technique.
- Rugs are thicker than Kilim rugs.
- The price of a handmade kilim is usually lower than a handmade carpet. Of course, determining the price of handicrafts depends on their age, place of production, etc.
- The pattern of Kilims and rugs is different. Kilim usually has geometric and angular designs, while rugs have curves.
- Rugs have a higher texture density than Kilims. This feature has made the kilims more flexible.
- Unlike carpets, you will not have problems storing or moving a kilim. They are very light and compact.
- Kilims are usually smaller than rugs because the nomads used to weave rugs to spread in their tents, which were not very big.
Different Types of Kilim Weaves
There are four types of kilims in terms of weave:
Plain-weave kilims
Also known as double-sided and flat, plain-weave kilims involve the technique called “picking” in their weaving process. These kilims are thinner than the other types, have identical designs on both sides and can be used with either side up. Consisting only of warp and weft strands, some of the kilims that fall under this category are the Senah and Bijar, from Kurdistan Province, Iran; Qashqai; Semnan; Zanjan; and Ardabil.
Charkhi weave kilims
Kilims of this type are made using a loom with four components known individually as Kaju. A set of bows moves each Kaju in the Charkhi loom. In the Charkhi weaving process, the weft passes through all the warp strands, resulting in a uniform weave. A Charkhi-weave kilim has nonmatching sides because its surplus weft threads are drawn over the back, strengthening and thickening the kilim.
Jajim-weave kilims
The loom used to make Jajim-weave kilims also has four Kajus and multiple bows. The main difference between these kilims and the other types is that the Jajim warp is also colored. Only the weft makes the design appear in the other weaves, whereas, in the Jajim weave, the weft and the warp do that together. Moreover, Jajim and plain kilims are similar because they have identical sides.
Needle/Sumak kilims
The loom used to make sumak kilims has a single Kaju and roughly resembles the plain-weave loom. The surplus weft threads in this type of kilims are left freely on the back, making only one side usable. Delicate and adorned with floral motifs, Sumak kilims were traditionally woven mainly by the peoples of the Caucasus. Still, since the 20th century, they have also been made in Turkey and Iran.
Persian kilims are very diverse, with every region in Iran producing kilims of distinct designs and characteristics. The regional Persian kilims are the Qashqai, Harsin, Shahsavan, Baloch, Fars, Lori, Zarand, Kurdistan, Khamseh, and Mazandaran.
A portion of Iranian kilims is exported to Asian and European countries, Canada, and the US. Cyruscrafts brings further international exposure to Iran’s rich art and culture by introducing and selling various Persian handicrafts, including beautiful and outstanding kilims made by Iranian artists.
Price of Kilim Rugs
Kilim rugs are produced in two machine-woven and handmade types. Different types of kilim weaving machines have various designs and colors, and prices.
On the other hand, Natural wool and non-chemical materials are used to produce and dye in handwoven kilims, increasing their cost and value. But still, they have a low price. Today, kilim rugs have become modern elements in home decoration. In addition to eye-catching beauty and affordable price, they are easy to carry and wash.
Here at Cyruscrafts, you can buy Traditional or modern Kilim rugs at the best price. Kilims worth depends on the size, quality, material, weaving technique, design, dyeing, ETC. Their price can start from $43 and go up to $1300 and even higher.
Kilim Rug Colors
The most frequent colors in kilims are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and beige. A kilim’s design and colors are determined mainly by personal preference and creativity, as no rules dictate how to use colors in kilims. That’s why they say, “Every kilim reflects the taste and character of its maker”!Today, kilim rugs are made as floor coverings for rooms and hallways and prayer rugs, tablecloths, bags, and such. Bearing gorgeous and interesting designs, kilim rugs can be used to decorate different environments, such as living rooms, bedrooms, hotels, and traditional Persian restaurants and teahouses.
If you’re looking to check out and buy kilims, we’d recommend visiting our website, Cyruscrafts.
Cyruscrafts supplies sells, and exports the finest Persian kilims to Canada, the USA, and Europe. We bring you high-class, one-of-a-kind products that will liven up and individualize your home or workplace.
