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This superb Lori Bakhtiar kilim is a remarkable example of nomadic craftsmanship, woven entirely using hand-spun wool and natural dyes. The colour combination is particularly striking, displaying the depth and harmony that only natural dyes can achieve. Over more than a century, the colours have matured beautifully, gaining the soft character and richness that collectors value so highly.
Dating from the turn of the 20th century, this kilim demonstrates the extraordinary skill of its weaver. Tribal weavers traditionally work without a drafted pattern or naqsha, relying entirely on memory and inherited motifs. Achieving the level of balance and relative precision seen in this piece requires both experience and exceptional craftsmanship. The borders, finishing, and overall composition all reflect the work of a highly skilled and confident weaver.
The wool used in the kilim is hand-spun from the tribe’s own sheep. For nomadic communities of central Iran, sheep raising was a fundamental part of life, making wool their most accessible and essential material. Everything in this piece is therefore wool, except for one remarkable detail: the white elements of the design are made from cotton.
Cotton was not produced by these tribes and had to be purchased in markets, making it an expensive material. Its inclusion in tribal weavings was often a deliberate choice to add refinement and display prosperity, subtly indicating the value and care invested in the piece.
Like most nomadic textiles, this kilim was woven on a portable horizontal loom that could easily be dismantled and carried from one migration camp to another. Flatweaves such as this were ideal for nomadic life, as they were light, easy to fold, and practical to transport on camelback. Once a new camp was established, these textiles were spread across the tent floors, bringing both comfort and beauty to the living space.
This piece reflects a lifestyle that may appear simple, yet was deeply refined in its aesthetic sensibilities. Even in the remote grazing lands of wester Iran, nomadic families cared greatly about the visual harmony of their surroundings. Their weavings reveal an instinctive understanding of colour and composition, shaped by constant immersion in the natural landscape.
Rare and deeply authentic, this antique Lori Bakhtiar kilim is both a decorative textile and a cultural artefact. It can enrich an interior with warmth and texture while inviting conversations about history, craftsmanship, and the remarkable nomadic traditions that produced such works.
Material: Hand-spun wool with cotton highlights
Dyes: Natural vegetable dyes
Technique: Flatweave kilim
Origin: Nuri Bakhtiar tribes, central Iran
Age: Circa 1900
This superb Lori Bakhtiar kilim is a remarkable example of nomadic craftsmanship, woven entirely using hand-spun wool and natural dyes. The colour combination is particularly striking, displaying the depth and harmony that only natural dyes can achieve. Over more than a century, the colours have matured beautifully, gaining the soft character and richness that collectors value so highly.
Dating from the turn of the 20th century, this kilim demonstrates the extraordinary skill of its weaver. Tribal weavers traditionally work without a drafted pattern or naqsha, relying entirely on memory and inherited motifs. Achieving the level of balance and relative precision seen in this piece requires both experience and exceptional craftsmanship. The borders, finishing, and overall composition all reflect the work of a highly skilled and confident weaver.
The wool used in the kilim is hand-spun from the tribe’s own sheep. For nomadic communities of central Iran, sheep raising was a fundamental part of life, making wool their most accessible and essential material. Everything in this piece is therefore wool, except for one remarkable detail: the white elements of the design are made from cotton.
Cotton was not produced by these tribes and had to be purchased in markets, making it an expensive material. Its inclusion in tribal weavings was often a deliberate choice to add refinement and display prosperity, subtly indicating the value and care invested in the piece.
Like most nomadic textiles, this kilim was woven on a portable horizontal loom that could easily be dismantled and carried from one migration camp to another. Flatweaves such as this were ideal for nomadic life, as they were light, easy to fold, and practical to transport on camelback. Once a new camp was established, these textiles were spread across the tent floors, bringing both comfort and beauty to the living space.
This piece reflects a lifestyle that may appear simple, yet was deeply refined in its aesthetic sensibilities. Even in the remote grazing lands of wester Iran, nomadic families cared greatly about the visual harmony of their surroundings. Their weavings reveal an instinctive understanding of colour and composition, shaped by constant immersion in the natural landscape.
Rare and deeply authentic, this antique Lori Bakhtiar kilim is both a decorative textile and a cultural artefact. It can enrich an interior with warmth and texture while inviting conversations about history, craftsmanship, and the remarkable nomadic traditions that produced such works.
Material: Hand-spun wool with cotton highlights
Dyes: Natural vegetable dyes
Technique: Flatweave kilim
Origin: Nuri Bakhtiar tribes, central Iran
Age: Circa 1900