Antique Bessarabian Kilim

A rare small size antique Bessarabian Kilim, with a gorgeous palette of sage greens, soft yellow, pale blues and a neutral background in impeccable original condition.  These antique kilims are rare to find in this condition and in small rug sizes.  Combined with our sturdy underlay this light antique flat-weave would sit securely on the floor.  allowing it to be used in a variety of rooms.  Wonderful to place in a bedroom for example, or sitting in front of a fireplace.  A rare collectable piece.

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

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

Late 19th century pieces such as this floral design had softer colours than the Kilims woven in the early part of the twentieth century. The dancing flowers in the border design and abstract floral designs in the main field are beautifully subtle.  Often similar in design to that of Caucasian designs such as Karabagh.  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 charcoal black.  There is also some great dyes and variety of yellows and subtle pale blues and green.  An exceptional example and with our underlay this would sit happily on a wood floor, tiles or fitted carpet.

Please contact us to request a home visit, we love to travel and help customers find the perfect rug for their home.  It is a free, no obligation service we have offered for over 30 years of business.

Farnham Antique Carpets are specialists in antique decorative carpets, rugs and runners. Varying from antique tribal rugs woven in the Caucasus to classical Persian carpets dating from the mid 19th century to the early 20th century.

As members of the BADA - The British Antique Dealers Association and LAPADA - The Association of Art & Antique Dealers we adhere to strict guide lines as affiliated members and pride ourselves on maintaining its high standards. We exhibit at the BADA fair in Chelsea, London every March and the LAPADA Fair in Mayfair, London every September.