Tribal Turkish Rugs

From R&K Principal Josh Nazmiyal’s latest acquisitions, a profound 3x12 vintage tribal runner originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960. On the Design: All-over geometric patterns include traditional motifs encased in diamond patterns of warm orange, red, beige and black prevailing hues. Connoisseurs may note more unusual tribal patterns on the borders, further lending to the collectibility of this vibrant...

Hand-knotted in wool and originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, this 3x5 vintage Tulu rug is an extremely rare piece and the latest addition to Rug & Lilim’s Vintage archives. On ...

From R&K principal Josh Nazmiyal’s latest acquisitions, a 3x12 vintage tribal runner originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This all over geometric pattern features...

From R&K Principal Josh Nazmiyal’s latest acquisitions, a distinct vintage runner originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960. On the Design: The symmetric geometric design features tr...

A vintage Turkish flat-weave Kilim accent carpet handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 6' 10" x 9' 7" Flat-weave rugs & carpets: Knotted pile rugs are just one small part of a vast universe of textile techniques suitable for heavy use. If you can imagine it, some weaver has tried it out. Pieces can be roughly divided into those reversible from the start and those never, or at least not initially, reversible. Thus, kilims are considered reversible, while everything else is not. Kilims are tapestry woven rugs with both sides the same, in either slit technique where colors change, or with various methods of avoiding slits. Slit tapestry weave goes back to ancient times and Coptic Egyptian weavers used it for ornaments on garments and larger wall hangings. Slits can be avoided by dovetailing of colors (warp sharing) or by interlocking the wefts. The Navajo weavers of the Southwest practice the first while the Fine shawl weavers of Kashmir and Kerman employed the second. Interlocking produces a one-faced fabric, with smooth and rough, ridged faces. The typical Turkish, Caucasian, or Persian rustic Kilim shows slits, but never long ones. Aubusson French carpets are also slit tapestries and the long color transitions are sewn up as part of the regular maintenance. Some kilims are very Fine. The best antique urban Sehna (Senna) kilims on wool, cotton or silk warps approximate the comparable rugs in refinement and are the most desirable of all Persian kilims. Although the various flatweave techniques are usually expressed in geometric, simple, often repeating, patterns, Sehna kilims demonstrate that even the most intricate designs can be effectively rendered in flat-stich. The term ‘Kilim’ has been extended to cover any pileless, weft-faced heavy textile. Thus, the sectioned and joined northeastern Persian horizontally striped wool rugs are called ‘kilims’. So are the plain-weave end finishes of pile rugs. All these are weft-faced, weft patterned flatweaves. These sectioned pieces are woven not on a frame loom, but one steadied by the weaver at one end and with the warps fastened down at the other. Only relatively recent have these tribal pieces become available. They are used as floorcoverings, hangings, room dividers, furniture covers. They are mostly bitonal in shades of natural dark brown and beige. Some more recent pieces show weaver innovations with ikat and moire effects. Work proceeds quickly and a skilled weaver can complete a thirty foot strip in almost no time. Wefts, the elements added as weaving progresses, play an essential part in what is a flatweave. The best-known example of an extra-weft, wrapping technique is on Caucasian and tribal Persian Soumaks, where a pattern weft wraps around the fixed warp, changing as weaving progresses. Soumaks can be large carpets, Kuba in the Caucasus, small bag faces (Caucasian and Persian Shah Savan saddle bags), or cover scatter rugs (Persian Afshars). The Soumak technique is fast, and a weaver can work much more quickly than tying knots. The left-over wefts are cut off on the back, so the front and back are initially different. As a Soumak on the floor gets used, these weft yarns wear away and the two sides converge although the exact texture remains distinct. There are other ways of pattern by weft. Often on smaller tribal pieces, the pattern weft(s) is (are) part of the weft structure, moving in an out, and holding the whole thing together. These wefts can be complementary or added (supplementary), continuous across the flatweave or cut off as they travel unneeded across the verso. Supplementary weft flatweaves are often very compact and substantial. The nomadic Turkmen and Balouch tribes employ both supplementary and complementary weft techniques on their pieces. Supplementary wefts are often raised on the recto (front) while complementary wefts are flat to the surface. Tribal Kurds employ this extra-wefting technique. The Balouch of Pakistan use complementary wefts almost exclusively on their small woven paraphernalia like salt bags. Flatweave techniques may be combined on a single piece. Afshar rugs employ plain-weave end strips, preceded by Soumak bands, with pile sections between. The large Bakhtiari saddlebags feature Soumak work, pile “islands” an areas of plain-weave. Qashqai rugs and kilims frequently displays checkerboard end strips in continuous, complementary wefting. Another distinct flatweave type is the jajim (jijim, cecim) in which a pattern is added with colored wefts as the weaving of the plain-weave ground progresses. Here the wefts are discontinuous and the pattern stands proud from the voided ground. Often made in two pieces on narrow looms and edge-sewn together, these may have geometric patterns. The term ‘jajim’ also refers to the assembled warp-faced strip and stripe covers from the Shah Savan of northwest Persia, the pattern is defined by warps alone, usually in plain stripes, but sometimes in designs of ladders, snakes, human figures and various animals. Here the color changing warps are continuous. Most are wool, a few are silk. Better to call these something else. Indian ‘Dhurries’ are all cotton kilims and ‘shatrangis’ employ wool wefts on cotton warps. Dhurries are slitless. The cotton texture is more appropriate to the humid and warm climate of the Indian subcontinent. Modern Dhurries...

Hand-knotted in wool, a 3x11 runner from Rug & Kilim’s latest curation of rare tribal acquisitions. Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, a pictorial rug as rare in design as it i...

A vintage Turkish Anatolian room size carpet handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 7' 0" x 11' 5".

Hand knotted in wool circa 1970s, this vintage 5x8 Turkish rug, features traditional designs with an inspiration from Azerbaijani tribal rugs and similar provenances On the Design:...

A vintage Turkish Anatolian rug in gallery format handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 5' 7" x 15' 3".

This soft color vintage Milas woven rug rests beautifully upon a field of pale lime green, light gray and brown colors. This geometric rug has a medallion of multi colors and neutral...

Finely hand-knotted Anatolian kilim with excellent geometric pattern. Lovely alternating medallions and warm orange, indigo and blue tones. This is a refined semi-antique flat-weave ...

This vintage 4x6 Gabbeh Persian rug is from the latest additions to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This mid-...

This vintage 4x6 tribal rug is an exciting new entry in Rug & Kilim's esteemed Antique & Vintage collection. hand knotted in wool, it originates from Tu...

The abrashed plain open light brownfield is framed by an ivory and blue border of rosettes and palmettes and a plain tonally en suite outermost strip.

Hand-knotted in wool, a 4x7 vintage Tulu rug originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, now joining Rug & Kilim’s Antique & Vintage collection. The healthy pile enjoys a solid maroon o...

A vintage Turkish Anatolian room size carpet handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 7' 5" x 12' 4"

A vintage Turkish flatweave Kilim accent rug handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 6' 8" x 8' 8".

A vintage Turkish flatweave Kilim small room size carpet handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 7' 7" x 10' 5".

Hand knotted in wool between 1910-1920 from the titular Anatolian region of Turkey, this antique Ghiordes rug enjoys allusions to the Mihrab and ...

A vintage Turkish Anatolian runner handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 3' 2" x 10' 6".

Hand-knotted in wool, circa 1950-1960, this 3’X4’ vintage Oushak tribal rug large-scale geometric patterns is an exciting addition to our Mid-Century Pasha Collection. On the Desi...

A vintage Turkish Anatolian small room size carpet handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 7' 11" x 10' 0".

Mid 19th Century Central Asian Tekke Turkmen Carpet (6'9'' x 10'3'' - 206 x 312)

This vintage 5x7 Gabbeh Persian rug joins the latest entries in Rug & Kilim’s rare tribal curations. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This tribal provenance is ...

A vintage Turkish tribal flatweave Kilim accent rug handmade during the mid-20th century in shades of brown and cream. Measures: 6' 0" x 8' 3".

A vintage 4x7 Persian Gabbeh rug, from the latest grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This mid-cen...

A vintage Turkish carpet from the second quarter of the 20th century.

This vintage 2x3 Gabbeh Persian rug is from an exciting new curation of tribal rugs by Rug & Kilim. Hand-knotted in wool, it originates circa 1950-1960. Further on the Design: Thi...

A vintage Turkish Anatolian runner handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 3' 1" x 10' 9".

From Rug & Kilim’s vintage selections, a 3x11 hand-knotted wool runner bearing uniquely forgiving nomadic aesthetics. The 1950s creation showcases a maze-like geometric pattern of tr...

A bold and brilliant early 20th century Turkish Konya rug with a tribal pattern containing a central geometric medallion living amidst a field of more geometric stylized floral patte...

A vintage 2x4 Persian Gabbeh rug, making a grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool, originating circa 1950-1960. Further On the Design: ...

A vintage 3x4 Persian Gabbeh rug in the latest entries to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This pattern enjoys...

A vintage Turkish Anatolian room size rug in long and narrow gallery format handmade during the mid-20th century with a geometric tribal design. Measures: 7' 1" x 14' 11".

Hand-knotted in wool, a 4x12 runner from Rug & Kilim’s newly unveiled curation of rare tribal pieces. Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, a pictorial ...

Hand-knotted in wool, a 4x10 rug from Rug & Kilim’s newly unveiled curation of incredibly rare tribal selections. Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, a profoundly uncommon representation of pictorial folk art...

A wonderfully bold vintage Anatolian Turkish rug with three large central floral medallions, each with more leaves and flowers, and living amidst a field of more flowers and leaves, ...

A vintage Turkish Anatolian room size carpet with a tribal design handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 7' 9" x 11' 9".

This vintage 3x5 Gabbeh Persian rug is from the latest entries in Rug & Kilim’s rare tribal curations. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This tribal provenan...

Made with hand knotted wool originating between 1910-1920, this antique Gabbeh Persian rug enjoys the tactful juxtaposition of a tribal geometric border with a more granular, subtle ...

A vintage 3x6 Persian Gabbeh rug, from the latest grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This mid-c...

Discover the elegance of Afghanistan Oushak featuring Area Rugs in Circa 1990. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, this exclusive design is perfect for enhancing your space.

A vintage Turkish Anatolian carpet from the second quarter of the 20th century with four geometric medallions over a marsala field.

A finely hand-knotted vintage Central Anatolian rug from 1960s. The rug has even low wool pile on cotton foundation. Transport yourself to a realm of timeless elegance with this ex...

This vintage 3x7 Gabbeh Persian runner is from the latest entries in Rug & Kilim’s rare tribal curations. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the D...

This vintage 7x15 Persian kilim is a particularly rare gallery runner believed to hail from Azerbaijan—handwoven in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This piece enjoys sharp tri...

A vintage 2x3 Persian Gabbeh rug, from a grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the De...

From Rug & Kilim’s vintage selections, a hand-knotted Tulu mid-century runner carrying a luscious high pile. Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, the 3x9 tribal rug enjoys a geom...

From R&K Principal Josh Nazmiyal’s latest acquisitions, a distinguished 3x11 vintage kilim runner originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960. On the Design: The exceptional tribal g...

Hand-knotted in wool, a 4x11 rug from Rug & Kilim’s newly unveiled curation of rare tribal pieces. Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, as rare in its pic...

Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, an incredibly handwoven rare kilim rug from our vintage selections. Exclusive in the pagination of these refreshing hues on the richest brown...

A 3x5 vintage Tulu rug from Turkey emanating exceptional mid-century aesthetics with high low texturability in a multicolor shag pile. Hand-knotted in lush wool, this rug further...

Connoting mid-century panel weaving aesthetics, a 5x7 vintage kilim rug from our latest flatweave curations. Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, this piece panel-woven style pla...

A vintage 2x4 Persian Gabbeh rug, from the latest grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This mid-c...

Hand-knotted in wool, a 4x13 runner from Rug & Kilim’s newly unveiled curation of iconic tribal pieces. Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, a graphic piece as collectible as it ...

From R&K Principal Josh Nazmiyal’s latest acquisitions, a distinct 3x11 vintage kilim runner originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This particular tribal rug en...

Hand-knotted in wool, a 4x11 rug from Rug & Kilim’s newly unveiled curation of rare tribal acquisitions. Originating from Turkey circa 1950-1960, as collectib...

This vintage 4×6 Kilim is a rare tribal curation in Rug & Kilim’s collection. Handwoven in wool, it originates from Turkey circa 1950-1960. The design favors vibrant colors in a pol...

This vintage 5x7 kilim is a midcentury tribal rug that originates from Turkey—handwoven in wool, circa 1950-1960. Its design enjoys a rich play of burgundy with crimson red and bl...

A 9x11 handwoven wool vintage kilim rug from Turkey circa 1950-1960, amongst Rug & Kilim’s fine selections of flatweaves. The luscious creamy pink scale grounds the meticulous tanger...