Konya kilim, central Anatolia, 1850-70
Object No. 85/1903
This large and strikingly handsome kilim from the Konya region of Central Anatolia (Turkey) was woven using the slit tapestry technique, which is characteristic of Turkish flat weaves. The rug was woven in two halves which were then joined together lengthways down the centre, a common strategy for producing large kilims on the narrow Anatolian looms. The rug may have been used as a room divider or bench cover. This design of the rug is bold amd simple and it is woven in the bright colours which typify kilims, especially those from the Konya region. The principal design motif of highly stylised carnations is well known in Turkish textiles and is reminiscent of the elegant rounded seven-petal carnations of Ottoman court silks and velvets of the 1500s and 1600s, as well as pre-Ottoman repeat patterns to which the weaver will also have been exposed. The Konya region has been inhabited for at least 5000 years and is well known for the production of both nomadic rugs like this example and fine court carpets. During the Renaissance, richly patterned pile weave carpets from Konya were exported to Europe where they were displayed in the homes of the wealthy as symbols of prosperity. Konya was also the final home of the Sufi poet Rumi, whose tomb is in the city.Today Konya is a populous and industrialised city and capital of Konya Province. Pamela Leuzinger, Research Assistant, Design and Society, January 2013 Christina Sumner, former Principal Curator, Design and Society, May 2015 Ref.: Unravelling the Rug puzzle. [ Sydney]?,Oriental Rug Society of NSW [and] MAAS publication, 1983 Flowers of the loom,[ Sydney], Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney; Oriental Rug Society of NSW
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Summary
Object Statement
Kilim, wool, slit tapestry weave, made in Konya, Central Anatolia (Turkey), 1850-1870
Physical Description
A large flatweave, weft-faced rug woven in two halves in slit tapestry technique and stitched together lengthwise. Discontinuous multicoloured wool wefts, with supplementary weft outlining, create a highly stylised carnation pattern in the field on the white wool warp, with a reciprocal comb design separating the field from wide borders. At either end, the undyed warp ends are twisted and knotted to form a fringe.
DIMENSIONS
Height
3955 mm
Width
1765 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
This large flatweave weft-faced rug was woven in slit tapestry technique, in which multicoloured discontinuous wool wefts cover the off-white wool warp and create the pattern. The design is characteristic of the Konay area of Central Anatolia, now Turkey. The field features deep bands of highly stylised carnation motifs in green, tan, red and white on a brown ground with accents in yellow, blue, red and tan. A reciprocal comb design divides the field from the wide similarly-patterned borders in the same colours, with narrow end borders composed of half the border motifs. Throughout, the motifs are highlighted by supplementary weft outlining in contrasting colours. As is typical of large Anatolian kilims, the rug was woven in two halves and stitched together lengthwise, while the undyed warp ends have been twisted and knotted to form a fringe.
HISTORY
Notes
The Konya kilim was woven in Central Anatolia between 1850 and 1870. It was purchased from Ross and Irene Langlands of Nomadic Rug Traders, Pyrmont, in 1985.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1985
Acquisition Date
25 September 1985
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