How do I care for a flatweave carpet?

Vacuum gently using suction only without a rotating brush roll to protect the flat-woven structure and delicate wool fibres. Rotate the textile occasionally to ensure even wear from foot traffic and sunlight exposure. Professional cleaning should be handled by specialists experienced in antique tribal wools and natural dyes. Avoid harsh chemical treatments that can strip the characteristic soft hues from the wool.

Where were these carpets made?

These textiles originate from the Caucasus region, spanning areas such as Shirvan, Daghestan, Kuba, and regions associated with Shahsavan and Kurdish weavers. Mountain communities and nomadic groups produced these rugs for domestic use and local trade. Each weaving district developed distinct geometric vocabularies and colour preferences, allowing specialists to trace specific pieces back to regional workshops or tribal groups.

Can I use these rugs on the floor?

These flatweave carpets function well on floors when paired with a quality underlay to prevent slipping and reduce friction against the fibres. Their durable wool and cotton construction suits moderate traffic areas. Lighter runner formats and smaller bag faces also lend themselves to wall display or placement in low-traffic spaces to preserve their historic textile structure.

What is the difference between a kilim and a soumak?

A kilim is woven flat by interlocking weft threads through the warp, creating a smooth surface with identical patterns visible on both sides. This technique produces a thinner, pliable textile. A soumak incorporates wrapping wefts around the warp threads in a continuous motion, leaving loose floats of yarn on the reverse and providing a thicker, ribbed texture on the display side.