What is a tribal kilim?

A tribal kilim is a flat-woven textile created by nomadic and village weavers for practical domestic use, such as floor coverings, blankets, and storage bags. These pieces use slit-weave techniques to produce geometric designs that reflect the specific cultural heritage of regions like Persia, the Caucasus, and Anatolia.

How were sofreh cloths used?

Sofreh cloths served as clean surfaces placed on the ground for eating meals, rolling bread dough, or storing flour and salt within nomadic tents. Because they were central to daily domestic rituals, weavers decorated them with potent protective and tribal symbols.

How do I care for antique flat-weaves?

Antique flat-weaves require gentle treatment, including regular light vacuuming without a rotating brush and professional textile cleaning when necessary. Keeping them out of direct sunlight prevents natural dyes from fading over time.

How can I tell regional styles apart?

Regional attribution relies on specific colour palettes, wool qualities, and characteristic geometric motifs associated with groups like the Qashqai, Afshar, or Turkmen. Caucasian weavings often display sharp, highly architectural polygons, whereas Persian nomadic pieces lean towards organic tribal layouts.

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Handwoven Tribal Kilim

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These handwoven tribal kilim textiles offer a dense, flat-woven record of nomadic life, prized for geometric patterns and authentic wool textures.

Antique Afshar Dining or Bread Sofreh Rug. 112cm X 115cm.

1900 - 1920

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Antique Afshar Dining or Bread Sofreh Rug. 112cm X 115cm.

From Country House and Eastern Interiors

£275

3+ MONTHS AGO

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Antique Yomut Turkmen Mafrash / Torba in Banded Flatweave Design, Circa 1900/20.

1900 - 1920

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Antique Yomut Turkmen Mafrash / Torba in Banded Flatweave Design, Circa 1900/20.

From Cotswold Oriental Rugs

£495

3+ MONTHS AGO

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Antique Turkish Malatya Konya Half Kilim Kelim Runner Rug. 340cm X 95cm.

19th century

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Antique Turkish Malatya Konya Half Kilim Kelim Runner Rug. 340cm X 95cm.

From Country House and Eastern Interiors

£595

3+ MONTHS AGO

rugs

19th century

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Shahsavan Panel

From Phil Bell Antique Rugs

£280

3+ MONTHS AGO

rugs

1900 - 1920

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Antique Ushak Kilim

From Farnham Antique Carpets

£12,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

rugs

19th century

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Antique Qashqai Kilim 2.02m X 1.37m

From Rug Addiction

£4,900

3+ MONTHS AGO

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1900 - 1920

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Good Pair of Vintage Carpet Cushions

From Carse Antiques

£145

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

1900 - 1920

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Large Size Antique Afghan Kilm Carpet

From Carse Antiques

£695

3+ MONTHS AGO

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1900 - 1920

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Antique Flat Weave Kilm Carpet

From Carse Antiques

£495

3+ MONTHS AGO

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Antique Turkmen 'Dali' Kilim, Very Fine Weave, Circa 1900.

1900 - 1920

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Antique Turkmen 'Dali' Kilim, Very Fine Weave, Circa 1900.

From Cotswold Oriental Rugs

£495

3+ MONTHS AGO

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Nomadic weavers occasionally embedded stray goat hairs into fine wool to ward off the evil eye, ensuring your rug comes with built-in spiritual insurance.