CAL Vintage Kilim Rug 229cm x 155cm

• Unique Vintage Rug - only one available!
• Material: 100% high-quality, hand-spun sheep's wool
• Workmanship: Flat-woven by hand on a traditional wooden loom
• Age: Vintage / Semi-antique. Approx. 1960s
• Condition: Vintage in mint condition due to elaborate cleaning and restoration process
• Origin: Çal, Anatolia
• Dimensions: 228cm x 151cm, Height: 3mm

Region of Origin

Anatolia makes up the majority of modern-day Turkey. Rugs from this region are characterized by their indigenous, geometric patterns—with many symbols that reflect a traditional way of life in harmony with nature. The legacy of an ancient, schematic culture of the Turkic peoples, passed down from generation to generation through the art of weaving.

Symbolism

In Anatolia, a variety of symbols and patterns were used in traditional kilims and rugs, with origins dating back to the Neolithic period. For millennia, nomadic and village women wove themes into their rugs that were significant to their lives. One of the main symbols is the figure of "Elibelinde," which represents the Cosmic Mother and her creative feminine power. Other motifs represent wishes, such as for happiness and children, while others serve as protection against threats like wolves, scorpions, or the evil eye. Motifs were often combined when woven into patterns on kilims, acquiring multi-layered meanings. Thus, each rug tells its own story in the form of woven poetry.

Production

Our vintage kilims and rugs were entirely handcrafted from the early 20th century up to the 1970s. In the first step, the weaver sheared, washed, carded, and hand-spun the wool from her own sheep and goats into yarn.

Subsequently, the yarn bundles were dyed in an elaborate, manual process using natural pigments or alizarin dyes. Each individual shade had to be dyed separately. By dyeing the yarn herself, the weaver could unleash her creativity and control the coloring. At the same time, the result was subject to a complex interplay of many factors, always yielding a play of different nuances of a single color. This shading in the yarn or in the finished kilim or rug is called abrash. After the yarn was completed, the warp threads were stretched as tightly as possible over the warp beam of the wooden loom. Only then could the weaver begin weaving her kilim. Every motif, every symbol, every area was woven by hand with great love and patience until the finished kilim was created, and the ends of the kilim were knotted and often adorned with elaborately braided fringes. The production process often took several months, sometimes years, and was carried out either by a single weaver or by several women simultaneously. Thus, grandmother, mother, sisters, other family members, or neighbors often sat together at a loom, telling each other stories or singing songs while weaving. The weaving of a kilim served not only for subsequent use, but the entire process was a ritual, a ceremony, a form of meditation and prayer, an expression of the weaver's emotions, and a medium for passing on stories of past times in the form of woven poetry. 

Material

Wool is the most commonly used fiber in the production of Anatolian rugs. Not only is it abundant in Turkey, but it is also a natural and very high-quality material. Hand-spun wool, in particular, has particularly long fibers and a high content of lanolin (wool grease). This makes it very durable, long-lasting, and antibacterial. 

Natural sheep's wool is a living material that, through the influence of sun, air, and water and careful use, becomes softer and shinier over the years. A material that ages beautifully, is absolutely environmentally friendly and free of harmful substances. It has the ability to self-clean and regenerate, brings warmth, a good indoor climate, and pleasant room acoustics to every home. In addition, sheep's wool and goat hair have the property of grounding our bodies and dissipating negative electrostatic charges. 

These positive properties prove particularly beneficial in large cities and when using electronic devices.

Cleaning and Restoration

The cleaning process of our vintage kilim rugs takes place cyclically and in harmony with nature. During the summer months, our rugs are first thoroughly washed with water and olive soap and then further cleaned for up to three months on our "Kilim Field" in Antalya with the power of the sun.

Sun exposure and airing remove stubborn stains and discolorations, odors, moths, and bacteria. 

Through this intensive and natural cleaning process, we can completely avoid environmentally harmful chemicals or health-damaging anti-moth agents.

After sunbathing in Antalya, our kilims and rugs are mechanically dusted and then sent to Istanbul. In our atelier in the old town of Sultanahmet, each rug is individually stretched into shape, the ends are re-knotted with a special technique so that the weave cannot unravel. Holes or discolored areas are rewoven true to the original. The complete cleaning and restoration process takes between six months and two years, depending on the kilim.

With loving treatment and careful care, our kilims and rugs can last for many more generations. Our rugs don't require a lot of care, but they do require the right kind of care. We recommend that you vacuum or beat your rug regularly and gently to remove dirt and grime. It's sufficient to vacuum your rug once or twice a month. Vacuuming too frequently can wear down the knots and fibers more quickly. If your vacuum cleaner has a suction attachment, use it instead of a rotating brush.

Every few months, you should flip your rug over and vacuum the back to remove dirt from the underside of the rug. It's also helpful to rotate your rug once a year to ensure even wear.

We recommend having your rug professionally hand-washed every 3 to 5 years. Please do not have it steam-cleaned or dry-cleaned - this will certainly damage the rug! Choose a rug cleaner who uses a pH-neutral shampoo or olive soap for hand-washing. The soap is worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush and then thoroughly rinsed. If you have any questions or need assistance in choosing a rug cleaner, please feel free to contact us. We work with trusted oriental rug cleaners and restorers and can pass on discounted rates to our customers.

A stain, now what?
Blot the stain with a dry cloth until it's dry. If necessary, you can dab with a very slightly damp cloth and a little olive soap. Please do not attempt to wash your rug yourself. If the stain doesn't come out, immediately contact an oriental rug specialist for cleaning. Adding a lot of liquid can make stain removal more difficult and even worsen them. This is because moisture spreads along the fibers and can get trapped in rugs with horizontal fibers (like flat weaves).

Dried food residue can be easily scraped off or brushed out.