KILIMS AND FLAT WEAVES

KILIMS AND FLAT WEAVES. 1.

THIS SECTION shows a selection of flat woven rugs often called kilims. Sometimes they are just a plain weave with different colours and designs but they also frequently are embellished with designs in knotted pile and various forms of embroidery.

In Morocco, larger pieces are known as "hanbels" and smaller ones which are used for capes are "handiras". Flat weaves are used extensively in dwellings as curtains, covers and bedding. Capes are used to counter the intense winter cold in the mountains. Small pieces are used as horse covers and decorations

This group of weavings is for use in daily life and also for ceremony and special occasions.

GABBEH KILIM - a simplistic and bold flat weave which will make a dramatic contribution to modern decor. It is in perfect condition and lies totally flat. Use it on a floor or over a bench or bed as a throw. If space permits it will make a powerful wall hanging. Reference 3322. Size 250 x 151 cms., or 8ft.3ins., by 5ft. Euros 220.

CLOSE UP showing fine, even, weave and bold colours.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIXED TECHNIQUE RUG known as a handira. It is a mixture of piled woven sections and bands of embroidered kilim weave. This is a common mix for Berber rugs of the cold High Atlas where they act as seating rugs during the day and bed covers at night. This is a very good example with rich saturated colours and interesing design, especially the main border on all four sides. The use of the same colour wool for the wefts which is also used for the overcasting shows that it is from the Ait Tamassin Berber group. The excellent text book "Taznacht" has extensive notes on construction and dyes and shows 8 full colour examples of their work. Reference 3354. Size 247 x 154 cms., or 8 x 5 ft. Euros 540.

CLOSE UP shows rich coloured knotted pile sections separated by bands of plain kilim with floral designs.

BERBER SHEPHERD`S COAT --- NEVER BE COLD AGAIN. The winter in the Middle and High Atlas Mountain ranges in Morocco are bitterly cold. This type of coat is made from the same hand spun wools that are used for rugs and blankets as the outer layer of clothing for a shepherd. Each is beautifully embroidered and the neck is closed by the use of hand made buttons. In a way the shape of the coat acts as a mini tent and is virtually wind proof. The hood is 40 cms, (16 inches) high. From the neck to the ground is 140 cms., (55 inches). the width from one shoulder to the other is 63 cms., (25 inches). Reference 3438. Euros 125.

CLOSE UP shows the embroidered designs which are from top to bottom of the coat and also on the front of the hood.

KURDISH KILIM FROM THE REGION OF QUCHAN which lies between the city of Meshed and extends north to the Persian border with Turkmenistan. It is a fine old piece with dozens of exquisite narrow rows of plain weave interspersed with embroidered sections. The major border on all four sides has a band of a very different technique. Powerful but subtle and pleasing at the same time. Reference 3327. Size 220 x 148 cms., or 7ft. 3ins. x 4ft. 8ins. Euros 280.

CLOSE UP OF TOP LEFT HAND CORNER shows the fringes, end band, overcasting, major border and different bands of designs in the field.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS FLAT WEAVE. A huge magnificent old Hanbel from the Beni Mtir group of Berbers in the northern Middle Atlas near Meknes. It was probably used as the communal sleeping cover for a Berber family. Reference 2136. Size 429 x 145 cms, 14ft 1ins x 4ft 8ins, Euros 950.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS FLAT WEAVE. A huge magnificent old Hanbel from the Beni Mtir group of Berbers in the northern Middle Atlas near Meknes. It was probably used as the communal sleeping cover for a Berber family. Reference 2136. Size 429x145 cms, 14ft 1ins x 4ft 8ins, Euros 1250 CLOSE UP..

OLD PERSIAN SHAH SAVAN KILIM dating from the first half of the last century and attributed to the Shah Savan of the Khamseh group. It is woven on mid brown hand spun wool which has been tied off at each end with a lattice pattern. The kilim is in excellent condition and the dyes are consistent with colour shades and abrashes which are the result of natural plants. In the substantial text book "Kilim - The complete Guide" there is extensive informative text and colour plates on all the major Shah Savan groups and their kilims. Plate 395 on page 202 shows a large fragment of a kilim from this group which is placed as a nineteenth century example and is virtually identical with this kilim in design, colours and structure. Reference 3521. Size 299 x 168 cms., or 9ft. 10ins. x 5ft. 6ins. Euros 1550.

CLOSE UP of part of the field showing abrashes in the terracotta background. It also shows part of 2 of the 8 decorative bands which are spaced at intervals in the centre panel.

SOMETIMES I find interesting flat weaves and kilims in the Medinas such as this one in Marrakech.

WEEKLY street markets such as this one in the Middle Atlas region of Zemmoor are a great source of kilims and other textiles.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS KILIM - This extraordinary flat weave is woven from soft, silky, undyed hand spun Berber wools. It is a very long piece which probably owes its excellent condition to its limited use for ceremony or special occasions. The kilim is from the Ait Youssi Berber group in the western Middle Atlas. Ref. 2153. Size 400 x 126 cms, 13ft 2ins x 4ft 2ins, Euros 370.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS KILIM - This extraordinary flat weave is woven from soft, silky, undyed hand spun Berber wools. It is a very long piece which probably owes its excellent condition to its limited use for ceremony or special occasions. The kilim is from the Ait Youssi Berber group in the western Middle Atlas. Ref. 2153. Size 400 x 126 cms, 13ft 2ins x 4ft 2ins. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN ARAB KILIM. A huge piece which would have been used as a communal blanket for sleeping at night and probably a curtain dividing the tent or dwelling during the day. It is the work of Moroccan Arab weavers who inhabit the north west corner of the country which includes several major cities, a long Atlantic coast line and extends to the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains inland. The strong colours and striped designs are typical of the work of the Boujad area. Good information about this type of weaving is to be found in "Kilims - The Complete Guide" by experts Jose Luczyc - Wyhowska and Alistair Hull. Reference 3351. Size 393 x 184 cms., or 13 x 6 ft. Euros 350.

CLOSE UP of the strong linear design which accentuates the size and powerful presence of the piece.

MOROCCAN MIXED TECHNIQUE FLAT WEAVE/KILIM OR "HANBEL". This rare, old hanbel or cover is from the region of Rehamna in the plains of Marrakech. This land lies between that city and extends westwards to the Atlantic Ocean. The weavers are not Berbers but Moroccan Arabs. The foundation is a long hand woven kilim of several shades. As the weaver progressed she wove several bands of knotted pile across the field and this is known as mixed technique. Along each side the carpet has the repeated triangular design which is the traditional finish of much of the Rehamna weaving. Hanbels are used in tents or dwellings as multi-purpose covers or curtains as well as floor coverings. Two long pieces with similar colourings and designs are shown as plate 62 and 63 in the text book "Maroc - Tapis de Tribus". Reference 2718. Size 340 x 180 cms., or 11ft. 2ins. x 5ft. 3ins. Euros 1250.

MOROCCAN MIXED TECHNIQUE FLAT WEAVE/KILIM OR "HANBEL". This rare, old hanbel or cover is from the region of Rehamna in the plains of Marrakech. This land lies between that city and extends westwards to the Atlantic Ocean. The weavers are not Berbers but Moroccan Arabs. The foundation is a long hand woven kilim of several shades. As the weaver progressed she wove several bands of knotted pile across the field and this is known as mixed technique. Along each side the carpet has the repeated triangular design which is the traditional finish of much of the Rehamna weaving. Hanbels are used in tents or dwellings as multi-purpose covers or curtains as well as floor coverings. Two long pieces with similar colourings and designs are shown as plate 62 and 63 in the text book "Maroc - Tapis de Tribus". Reference 2718. Size 340 x 180 cms., or 11ft. 2ins. x 5ft. 3ins. CLOSE UP.

BERBER KILIM / HORSE BLANKET - which is an old example from the southern edge of the High Atlas Mountains. Although these pieces are small they contain the most frequent types of weaving which are used to create the base and designs. The foundation is usually a kilim woven with undyed local Berber wool. Knotted pile is used to decorate the piece and strips of many various embroidery techniques are formed into floral sprays. They represent the best of authentic Berber lifestyle. Reference 3399. Size 92 x 140 cms., or 3ft. x 4ft. 7ins. Euros 425.

CLOSE UP -- The design of this horse cover portrays four rectangular gardens each with an embroidered small branch of flowers. They almost seem to float on the undyed deep black background.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS BERBER FLAT WEAVE / KILIM. The Ait Arfur Berber group weave distinctive patterns embellished with white cotton on many of their kilims, capes and bags. This is a good example of a large hanbel, or cover, and it was probably used for warmth in the cold mountain winters. It is an old piece in impeccable condition. Ref. 3326. Size 340 x 150cms, 10ft x 5ft, Euros 850.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS BERBER FLAT WEAVE / KILIM. The Ait Arfur Berber group weave distinctive patterns embellished with white cotton on many of their kilims, capes and bags. This is a good example of a large hanbel, or cover, and it was probably used for warmth in the cold mountain winters. It is an old piece in impeccable condition. Ref. 2236. Size 340 x 150cms, 10ft x 5ft. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS KILIM. The southern part of the High Atlas Moroccan mountain chain starts about 60 kilometres south of Marrakech and it is from the village of Ourika at the entrance to the mountains that this kilim comes from. The traditional black background acts as a perfect foil for the multi coloured Berber designs and symbols. The piece is woven from local Berber wools and highlights of design include small amounts of cotton and even re-cycled textiles. Reference 3538. Size 254 x 135 cms., or 8ft. 4ins. x 4ft. 5ins. Euros 925.

CLOSE UP of the designs and symbols all of which can be traced back to the traditional Berber sources of nature, the environment, religion and superstition.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS FLAT WEAVE/KILIM. An old beautifully embroidered `hanbel`or cover from the Ait Arfur Berber group in the Middle Atlas. The intricate white designs are created by the use of cotton. The condition is excellent. Ref. 2233. Size 291 x 120 cms, 9ft 6ins x 4ft, Euros 450.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS FLAT WEAVE/KILIM. An old beautifully embroidered `hanbel`or cover from the Ait Arfur Berber group in the Middle Atlas. The intricate white designs are created by the use of cotton. The condition is excellent. Ref. 2233. Size 291 x 120 cms, 9ft 6ins x 4ft. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN BERBER SEAT OR TABLE COVER of the type found in many Berber houses or dwellings. Around the central carpet in the main room cushions are arranged and an intricate kilim such as this would be used as a covering. Sometimes a similar piece would also be used as a table cloth in the centre of the carpet and tea and the famous Moroccan cookies served. Reference 3346. Size 109 x 35 cms., or 45 x 14 ins. Euros 240.

ON THE HUNT .... hundreds of kilims already seen and nothing bought yet. Found this wonderful piece close to the end of the day and had the feeling it had been hidden away just to see if I would settle for a lesser piece. A common move by sellers in the bazaars to test the tenacity of the buyer.

MOROCCAN BERBER FLAT WEAVE/KILIM. The rich shades of purple, henna, tan, madder and indigo identify the fine old kilim as the work of the Beni M�guild Berbers of the southern part of the Middle Atlas. The bands of flat weave are mixed with strips of intricate designs which combine to make this old piece very attractive. Reference 2196. Size 329 x 142 cms., or 11ft 5ins. x 4ft. 8ins. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN BERBER FLAT WEAVE/KILIM. The rich shades of purple, henna, tan, madder and indigo identify the fine old kilim as the work of the Beni M�guild Berbers of the southern part of the Middle Atlas. The bands of flat weave are mixed with strips of intricate designs which combine to make this old piece very attractive. Reference 2196. Size 329 x 142 cms., or 11ft 5ins. x 4ft. 8ins. Euros 950.