This is a South Eastern Anatolian antique Kilim from the Malatya region with a rare and beautiful color composition.
Malatya is Turkey's main kilim production area, and there are many variations. This is one of them, a runner-type kilim. The thread is thin, and the weave is very fine and dense. Some metallic threads are used in this antique kilim, which is rarely seen in Anatolian kilims. Red, navy blue, and gray are the colors that determine the impression of this kilim. Other colors, such as brown, yellow, and light blue, are also used in the patterns. The wavy horizontal striped pattern, plain pattern, and lined motif pattern are woven together to create a kilim that looks like an obi.
The pattern of the motif and the pattern of the wave are about the same amounts, giving a lively impression without getting busy. The deep shades of colors and patterns that are familiar to each other are unique to antiques. However, it still retains good coloring, which makes it hard to believe that it is an antique. The runner type is a good type to make this kilim unique. Also, for those who want to create a different kind of home, the use of runners is very effective.
Malatya is a town built on one main street that continues for several miles. It is situated in the Tohmasuyu River basin, which is encircled by the high peaks of the eastern Taurus Mountains. This is a fertile agricultural region, particularly for apricots, and has been a prolific weaving area for many years. The modern town was established in 1838; old Malatya, which is close by, was once an important city in Armenia Minor. In Roman times it was important as a garrison town on the eastern frontier, and the settlement came under Ottoman rule in the early fifteenth century. Considering the number of kilims woven in this region there is a surprising lack of diversity in design, especially in the larger kilims; this is possibly a direct result of the Kurdish tribal tradition of weaving only one type of design. Small prayer rugs...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Serapi Folk Art
MaterialsWool, Natural Fiber