Handwoven kilim tribal rugs have been produced by the villagers and nomads of Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries for millennia. Now, the kilim has gained a new popularity and modern kilims are widely exported. Older kilims, on the other hand, are becoming rare. However, some of these old weavings in the form of antique pillow covers have entered the modern decorating scene where they are found in all types of decors.
When antique kilims become worn, or perhaps a part is damaged, the remaining usable part is called a kilim ‘remnant.’ This may then be cut into segments to be made into kilim pillow covers. This is a great bonus for the kilim enthusiast who may have a keen interest in old kilims yet must work to a budget. Popular too with interior decorators, antique kilim pillow covers add affordable pizazz to home decor.
Are Antique Kilim Pillow Covers Truly Antique?
Although marketed as ‘antique’ kilim pillow covers, the actual age of the original kilim is often unknown. Dating an old kilim is an undertaking fraught with pitfalls. Even the experts hesitate to put an exact date on an old weaving since too many factors must be taken into consideration.
‘Vintage’ might be a better term, but it’s not in common usage yet as far as kilim pillow covers go. It's likely that most antique kilim pillow covers on the market today are made from thirty- to sixty-year-old kilims.
How and Where Authentic Antique Kilim Pillows are Made
Although in traditional kilim-weaving societies, kilims are always woven by women, the commerce associated with kilims is male-dominated. Men are the traders, bringing kilims from the countryside to the carpet buyers. It is men who repair old kilims, and it is men who sew kilim pillow covers from remnants of old kilims.
In Turkey, this is usually done by craftsmen in small independent shops, close-by bazaars, in the east-central region. Once made, the pillow covers are offered at wholesale prices to larger dealers or retailers. Others may be taken to Istanbul, the hub of Turkish commerce. From there, they are exported either in lots to Western buyers, or sold individually in tourist and carpet shops, or online.
Some Kilim Pillows are New Manufacture ... Know the Difference
Not all kilim pillow covers are old. There are some offered by large retailers which are beautiful, well made, and in designs and colors of modern appeal—but not made from authentic old kilims.
Instead of using traditionally styled new kilims, or old and perhaps slightly worn kilims, certain large retailers now commission new kilims to be woven to their specifications. These are then made into pillow covers. The buyer must decide if the newness and modern colors are more important to her than the appeal of a true heritage weaving. Both choices have their advantages.
What Materials are Used in Antique Kilim Pillows?
The original weavings are almost always wool, but sometimes wool on cotton is found. The wool is usually from sheep, but occasionally kilims woven from goat hair, or even camel hair, may also be found. The wool may be finely spun and quite soft, or on the other hand it may be rough and the fibres irritating to sensitive people. Kilims were never intended to be in extended contact with bare skin.
The backing for kilim pillows is usually sturdy cotton or a cotton/polyester blend. Lighter fabrics aren’t suitable here since only a heavier backing can offset the weight of a kilim textile.
Textile Collectors Object to the Cutting of Old Kilim Weavings
Sometimes the objections are raised by collectors of old textiles that antique kilims shouldn’t be cut up to be sewn into pillow covers. But kilim dealers are very aware of potential value and are unlikely to allow a truly unique weaving to be turned into pillow covers.
Also, if the larger kilim is unusable due to worn areas, isn’t it better to have smaller pieces of it recycled to be enjoyed in new ways instead of relegating the entire kilim to a storage chest?
As for the home-sewer trying to make a kilim pillow cover, this is a project better suited to industrial sewing machines. The heavy kilim, plus interfacing, plus backing is too thick for the average home sewing machine.
Antique Kilim Pillows in Interior Decorating
Kilim pillows give the interior decorator or home owner many benefits:
- A chance to display a remnant of an old artistic weaving, perhaps not otherwise affordable.
- Can be used as sofa pillows or on the floor, in children’s rooms or in garden patios.
- Their exotic flair complements all decors: South-western, traditional, contemporary or colonial.
- Earthy colors, vibrant designs, and contrasting textures enliven all settings.
- Easily interchangeable to achieve different effects.
- Kilim weavings are sturdy and resilient, ideal for everyday use.
- Can be used in abundance to add warmth and luxury to everyday settings.
And on top of all this, once the pillow is no longer serviceable, chances are the kilim remnant will still be attractive. The woven panel can be recycled (again) into sewing projects (inserts, pockets, gift bags, etc.) or may even be artistically framed – but that’s the subject for another day.
Far from its original creation in village home or nomad’s tent, the antique Turkish kilim rug has found new life as a modern decorating accessory, the kilim pillow cover.
- For an introduction to antique kilims, see the article Antique Turkish Kilims: Why the Demand for this Tribal Rug?
- Learn where to browse and shop for kilim sofa pillows in Antique Kilim Pillow Covers:Tips on Where to Buy, and More.
- The article Antique Kilim Pillow Covers: Tips on Weaves, Prices, and Buying describes weaving techniques and includes tips for buying decorative kilim pillows.
References:
- Hilliard, Elizabeth, Kilims: Decorating with Tribal Rugs, San Francisco, CA: Soma Books,1999.
- Olcer, Nazan, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts: Kilims, Istanbul, Turkey: Eren Publishers, 1989.
Jen L. Jones - Based in Canada, Jones writes on human rights, history,and the natural world. She focuses also on Turkish and Scottish travel and ...
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