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Antique Kayseri Kilim Central Anatolia Rug Turkish Wool Carpet

About the Item

This is a large antique Central Anatolian Kilim from the Kayseri region with a rare and beautiful color composition. It is a very large piece, measuring 4.5 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width, and is surprisingly densely woven with numerous patterns. In particular, the numerous small patterns on the left, right, top, and bottom borders, which appear to be hooks (keys) like horizontal S-shapes, make it easy to imagine that it must have been a daunting task. However, this kilim looks fun. The weaver may have had a sense of mission, but she probably completed the task not out of a sense of duty, but because she enjoyed it as a way to express herself. This piece also gives you a sense of accomplishment. The colors are calm, but they are bright earth colors, mainly orange, and are not dark. The same colors are used for the medallions, fields, and top and bottom borders, and each pattern is arranged and positioned differently, which gives the whole piece an exquisite look and beautiful contrast. The earliest recorded occupation of Kayseri dates back to Hellenistic times, and although there is no evidence to date, the town was probably built on an early Hittite site as there are many such settlements close by - Kanesh, the first Hittite capital, was situated north-east of Kayseri, at Kultepe. During the first century AD the town was named Caesarea by the Roman emperor Tiberius, later becoming famous as the birthplace of St Basil the Great who was one of the Church Fathers. From the thirteenth to the fifteenth century there were many changes of rulers, amongst whom were the Egyptian Mamelukes until finally, the Ottomans resumed their initial control. Kayseri was once the capital of Cappadocia, being situated at the foot of Mount Erciyes, one of the two volcanoes (the other being Melendes Dagi, near Nigde) that erupted spreading hot volcanic ash over the region, which then hardened into a porous stone called tuff. Over the passage of time erosion occurred leaving strange mushroom-shaped pedestals known as 'fairy chimneys', or peribaca. The tuff, being soft, was also easily hollowed out from the shelter, and during invasions, the Cappadocians would retreat underground. Christians also found the caverns suitable for their churches, particularly during the Arab invasions of the seventh century. These churches, complete with wall paintings, caves, and other subterranean dwellings, were inhabited by the descendants of the ancient Cappadocians until early this century. Beyond the valleys of the weird rock formations and caves of the Urgup region, the terrain changes into vast sweeps of open country, which end with the impressive snow-clad peak of Mount Erciyes, on the way to Kayseri. North-east of Kayseri are two Seljuk hans or caravanserais, which have been well restored. Kayseri people are known throughout Turkey as being very slick in business, and many jokes are made about them. The caravanserai in Kayseri is situated next to the bazaar and is now used by many kilim and carpet traders. Within the thick walls there is set a small metal door, behind which is a safe where visitors could leave money and other valuables overnight. Kayseri people still weave kilims, and many are made specifically for the export market. It is also the only region producing silk kilims, which are generally loosely worked in slitweave. Other kilims are made in natural wool colors, such as white, brown, grey, and white, again in slitweave. Many compartment-type kilims are woven featuring a square emblem repeated three or four times down the field, according to length. These kilims generally have two main borders and a plethora of small infill motifs that decorate the rest of the field. Another design format features large central medallions of varying shapes; again most of the field is decorated with small motifs. The borders vary in number, and the colors are of an autumnal palette.
  • Dimensions:
    Width: 58.67 in (149 cm)Length: 177.17 in (450 cm)
  • Style:
    Kilim (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Natural Fiber,Wool,Hand-Knotted,Hand-Woven
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1920
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Minor repairs, with antique natural dyed wool threads by our repair specialists. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    Tokyo, JP
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU8206241300032

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