Antique Bessarabian Kilim

Simply beautiful and elegant antique Bessarabian Kilim, with the softest colours and delicate open floral design.  A highly decorative antique kilim, which is in excellent original condition. Combined with our sturdy underlay this light flat-weave would sit securely on the floor.  allowing it to be used in a variety of rooms.  Gentle pinks, muted greens and a biscuit tone background make for an easy to live with colour palette, wonderful to furnish with or place in an existing scheme.

Bessarabian rugs and carpets are the commonly given name for rugs in pile and tapestry technique originating in Russian provinces as well as Ukraine and Moldova during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Some scholars will classify flat-woven carpets as Bessarabian, while referring to knotted-pile carpets as Ukrainian. They are predominantly from an area corresponding to modern Bulgaria and Romania. Produced under late Ottoman rule, they stand right on the cusp of European and Oriental carpet weaving.

Carpets and kilims were woven with sheep wool on the vertical or horizontal looms; sometimes hemp or flax was used for the base. Woolen yarn was dyed with natural dyes from local plants and insects. A group of kilims with floral patterns were produced from central regions of Ukraine (Poltava, Kyiv, Chernihiv) Ornament consists of images of flowers, more or less stylized or branches with flowers arranged rhythmically or related to the overall pattern.

Late 19th century pieces such as this floral design had softer colours than the Kilims woven in the early part of the twentieth century. The dancing flowers in the border design and abstract floral designs in the main field are beautifully subtle.  Often similar in design to that of Caucasian designs such as Karabagh.  We love how the background of these Kilims have almost a wave like effect, look closely at the image to see this clever weaving technique in the charcoal black.  There is also some great dyes and variety of yellows and subtle pale blues and green.  An exceptional example and with our underlay this would sit happily on a wood floor, tiles or fitted carpet.

Please contact us to request a home visit, we love to travel and help customers find the perfect rug for their home.  It is a free, no obligation service we have offered for over 30 years of business.

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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