Vintage Chaput Kilim Wool Rug With Striped Design by Rug & Kilim, 1950-1959

Details

Description

Handwoven in wool and originating circa 1950-1959, this 6x7 vintage Turkish kilim joins Rug & Kilim’s Kilim & Flat Weave … Read more Handwoven in wool and originating circa 1950-1959, this 6x7 vintage Turkish kilim joins Rug & Kilim’s Kilim & Flat Weave collection. It features a strikingly bold, multi-paneled striped layout rendered in deep indigo, vibrant rust-orange, and chocolate brown, punctuated by intricate micro-motif bands.

On the Design:

From the rural villages of Anatolia, this vibrant flatweave belongs to the cherished, historically significant tradition of *çaput* or rag kilims—a profound testament to the ingenuity and sustainable ethos of nomadic Turkish weavers. In traditional Anatolian culture, textiles were highly prized commodities, and nothing of value was ever discarded. Vintage “pala” or “chaput” kilims, as they are called in Turkish, are hand-made from recycled fabrics of wool and mixed fiber blend. They were woven on narrow looms and the panels were carefully sewn together to form two, sometimes three winged reversible area rugs. This deeply intimate process transformed everyday remnants into exceptionally durable, heavy-handled floor coverings. Far from mere utilitarian recycling, the *çaput* weaving process was an intuitive act of artistic alchemy.

This vintage Turkish kilim illustrates the sheer graphic power of the Chaput tradition, defined by a mesmerizing vertical sequence of 3 stitched panels that feature broad, saturated stripes in deep indigo blue, striking rust-orange, and rich chocolate brown. Interspersed between these bold, solid-color structural bands are delicate, intricately woven micro-stripes that showcase the weaver's lingering devotion to ancient nomadic symbolism. A closer inspection of these narrow dividing lines reveals a rhythmic sequence of tiny, geometric dashes and alternating stitches—a highly abstracted reduction of traditional *göz* or eye and *su yolu* or running water motifs, woven as unspoken prayers to protect the hearth and invoke life-giving continuity. The subtle, organic irregularities in the striping and the visible seam where two loom panels were historically joined together honor the authentic, hand-wrought heartbeat of nomadic craft. Boasting a sumptuously heavy texture, this Turkish flatweave bridges the soulful, zero-waste heritage of Anatolia with a striking, contemporary geometric presence. The accompanying book, The Kitchen Garden by Toby Musgrave, is part of Volumes by Rug & Kilim. The book (SKU - B375) can be acquired independently through our bookstore.

Condition:

This vintage Turkish kilim rug enjoys good condition for its age and origin. See less