If you are a tribal textile collector, there are many choices. Unfortunately some of those choices are rugs and kilims made for tourists or the home furniture trade. They’re pretty soulless items that are made by the thousands that are never used by their weavers. If you are looking for the real tribal cultural artifact, this is it. Possibly over a hundred years old. This was made durably by a nomadic Belouch weaver to be used in her home. It is far from perfect. It is not perfectly rectangular. It is a little faded – not badly. It has a couple creases that are part of the rug. It is naturally dyed. The rug is a combination of darker odd sized and sometimes odd shaped stripes that form a very harmonious whole kelim. There’s a little weft faced design weaving. The ends are nicely and securely knotted. This rug wasn’t meant to dazzle, but it’s still impressive. The more you’re around this rug, the more it will please you. Real kilims like this are hard to find. I photographed the rug on a sunny part of an otherwise rainy day in California. It’s been part of my overlarge collection that I’m gradually listing for sale. If you have questions, let me know. If you need more photos, let me know. This is a wonderful rug.
