Bessarabian Kilim

Object Description

A really pretty and elegant Bessarabian Kilim woven in the late 19th century, in lovely original condition and with softest of colours.  Each floral element has different tones and design to replicate barley, poppies, and various other flowers.  Using soft greens, pinks and light neutral tones to create the prettiest of kilims.

Bessarabian rugs and carpets are the commonly given name for rugs in pile and tapestry technique originating in 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.

Please contact us to request a home visit, we love to travel all over the UK, we would be very happy to visit you with this antique Bessarabian kilim soon for you to trial at home.  A free, no obligation service we have offered for over 30 years of business.

Object Literature

Carpets and kilims were woven with sheep’s wool on the vertical or horizontal looms; sometimes hemp or flax was used for the base. Woollen 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 stylised or branches with flowers arranged rhythmically or related to the overall pattern.

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 pale light greys.  There is also some additional great dyes such as the pinks and yellows and earth greens.

Object Condition

In excellent condition, one small old repair in the side, but over 130 years old and exquisite faded dyes.

Object Details