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Marco Polo traveled through the Caucasus and Anatolia
Turkey in 1271 and described the beauty of the Turkish and Caucasian
Oriental rugs he saw there. We know that European paintings dating from
the 14th and 15th centuries. The historical reference shows that oriental
rugs have been woven valued and traded since ancient times.
Kilims are flat weave rugs originally produced in a vilage or tribal
enviroment. The designs of kilims tend to be geometric often incorporating
various symbolic motifs. A prominent characteristic of kilim rugs is the
slits along the warp of the rug werever there is a change of color. Since
older kilims were usually woven on smaller portable looms it is difficult
to find them in large sizes. Today new kilims are produced in a full range
of sizes at very affordable prices. Kilims were used to make many
functional things such as storage bags, salt bags, grain bags, saddle
blankets, pillows, even cradles . Kilims were also woven as threasures to
be dowry pieces or to mark the birth of a child. These were saved or used
only on special occasions.
Throughout the Middle East oriental rugs and kilims are viewed not only as
objects of daily life but as a form of saving. Beautiful oriental rugs and
kilims are often collected by families and keppt in special bank vault.
These oriental rugs and kilims can be sold if mony is nedded. The oriental
rugs and kilims are loved and valued.
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