Vintage Moldovan Kilim: Handwoven Wool Rug with Roses, Birds & Hounds

Bright cabbage-roses embrace a midnight ground while two stylized hounds guard a nesting bird at center—an unmistakable village aesthetic from the Bessarabian/Moldovan weaving tradition. This is a hand-woven flatweave (kilim) from the 1970s era, executed in richly dyed wools with a playful folk narrative that reads beautifully either on the floor or as a wall tapestry.

Weaving tradition & origin.
The tapestry structure, dramatic floral wreaths on a dark ground, red/emerald/teal palette, and the crocheted/macramé fringe finishing point to Bessarabian/Moldovan village work from the Carpathian–Danube region. The rug is weft-faced tapestry (kilim) rather than pile; motifs are built by interlocking/slit tapestry joins, typical of Eastern European kilims.

Knot structure.
No pile knots—flatweave construction. On closeups you can see the horizontal, weft-dominated ribs and tiny slit joins where colors meet.

Age.
Dyes and drawing suggest mid-late 20th century, c. 1970s–1980s. Colors are strong but show a gentle vintage softening (minor abrash in the pale yellows), consistent with careful use.

Motifs & symbolism.

Rose garlands: abundance, beauty, and domestic prosperity—common in Bessarabian designs.

Bird with nest: home, fertility, and protection; a blessing for the household.

Two hounds: watchfulness and loyalty (also a lighthearted nod to the region’s hunting culture).

Serrated “wolf-tooth” outer border: a protective edge motif used across Balkan folk textiles.

Materials.
Hand-spun wool wefts on a cotton warp (the cream macramé fringe shows the cotton warps). Dyes are a mix of natural and mid-century synthetic/chrome dyes that yield the saturated teal, emerald, rose, and orange.

Handle, pile & density.
As a flatweave it has no pile; handle is supple and drapes well for wall hanging. Weave density is about 4–5 warps/cm x 7–8 wefts/cm (medium-fine for a Moldovan kilim).

Condition (honest assessment).
Very good vintage condition: edges and macramé fringe are intact; structure is strong and lies flat. Expect light age toning and minor, scattered weft fuzz typical of vintage flatweaves—no holes, stains, or repairs noted in the photos.

Features:

Type: Hand-woven flatweave kilim (weft-faced tapestry)

Origin: Bessarabian / Moldova, Carpathian region

Circa: 1970s–1980s

Size: 128 x 196 cm (approx. 4’2” x 6’5”)

Weave density: ~4–5 warps/cm; 7–8 wefts/cm (not knotted; KPSI not applicable)

Materials: Wool weft, cotton warp; mixed natural & mid-century synthetic dyes

Colors: Jet black field with crimson, rose, coral, emerald, teal, leaf green, sky blue, white, and tangerine accents

Finish: Selvedges wrapped; traditional hand-tied/macramé fringe

Condition: Very good vintage; clean and ready for use

Authentic Moldovan/Bessarabian floral aesthetic with a rare animal narrative (dogs & nesting bird)

Flat and lightweight—perfect for floors with underlay or to hang as art

Cheerful palette that brightens modern interiors yet suits rustic/folk settings

Sustainable vintage, hand-made with natural fibers

Care & use

Use a quality rug pad to prevent movement and protect fibers.

Vacuum weekly with suction only (no beater bar).

Rotate seasonally for even wear and light exposure.

Spot clean with a barely damp white cloth; avoid soaking.

For deeper cleaning, use a specialist familiar with flatweave kilims.

If wall-hanging, distribute weight with a Velcro/strip sleeve or bar—don’t hang by the fringe.

Hand-woven with the optimism of village folk art, this kilim doesn’t just decorate a room—it animates it. If this cheerful garden with its watchful hounds feels right for your home, add to cart with confidence—I ship quickly, professionally, and with a rug pad recommendation on request.