Silk Kilim

Origin

Silk KelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → rugs come from Persia and represent one of the noblest forms of Persian kelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → weaving. These precious flatweaves are made primarily in traditional weaving centres such as Senneh, Kerman, and Isfahan, where craftspeople have perfected the art of silk processing over centuries. The silk-kelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → tradition developed especially in regions with access to high-quality mulberry silk and a long history of textile production.

Characteristics

Silk KelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → rugs are distinguished by their exceptionally fine structure and the characteristic silken sheen. The surface is completely flat, since these are flatweaves without knots. Typical are geometric patterns, floral motifs, or traditional medallions, which can be rendered with particular precision and detail thanks to the silk used. The palette ranges from earthy tones to vivid colours, with the silk reinforcing the intensity and sheen of the colours. Thanks to the fine silk threads, these kelims achieve a far higher density than their wool counterparts.

Material and technique

The base material consists exclusively or predominantly of silk, mostly mulberry silk. Production uses the traditional kelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → weaving technique, in which weft and warp threads are interwoven without forming additional knots. The silk is dyed before weaving, often with natural dyes. Thanks to the slenderness of the silk threads, very fine details can be woven. The characteristic slits arise where differently coloured areas meet — a typical feature of all kelim techniques.

Worth knowing

Silk KelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → rugs were historically considered luxury items and were often used for representative purposes in wealthy households. The silk makes these rugs particularly light-reflective, so the colours can shift with viewing angle. Compared to Kelim Fars or other wool kelims, silk kelims are markedly more delicate and need special care. Because of the high material cost and labour, they rank among the most valuable kelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → variants. Many historical examples are kept in museums and private collections today.