Handwoven Vibrant Colored Kilim Runner: Anatolian Tribal Motif Sampler, Wool Flatweave

A lively little kilim woven as a motif sampler: twenty-four small cartouches, each holding a different tribal symbol—ram’s horns, hands-on-hips, combs, diamonds and zigzags—framed by a stepped mountain border in deep and light blue. The palette is crisp and saturated, the weave is neat slit-tapestry, and the size is hallway-friendly. It brings story, color and hand-made character to modern, boho or rustic spaces.


Weaving tradition & construction.
This is a hand-woven Anatolian kilim executed in classic slit-tapestry technique (flat-weave; no pile). The close photos show the clean vertical slits where color areas meet and the fine horizontal weft ribs typical of tapestry work. Warps are light (cotton), wefts are hand-spun wool.

Knot structure.
Not knotted—flat-weave (so KPSI does not apply). The structure reads approx. 5–6 warps/cm and 6–7 weft ribs/cm in the closeups, a medium, supple village weave.

Regional origin.
Motifs, palette and the serrated “mountain” border are hallmarks of Central/Western Anatolia kilims (think Eskişehir–Afyon–Denizli workshop traditions). The “sampler” panel layout is a known village practice for teaching and preserving motifs.

Age.
Colors are bright with no oxidation; warps are white cotton and the purple/magenta tones point to late-20th-century synthetic dyes. I date it circa 1990s–2000s.

Materials & dyes.
Soft, durable wool weft on cotton warp. Dyes are a mix of reliable synthetics with some vegetal tones (ochre, madder red, indigo-type blues).

Motifs & meaning.
Each square holds a distinct symbol used by Anatolian weavers:

Koçboynuzu (ram’s horns) for strength and protection

Elibelinde (hands-on-hips/fertility goddess) for womanhood and abundance

Taraks/comb for household prosperity and marriage wishes

Göz/eye diamonds & hooks for warding off the evil eye

Suyolu (running water) & zigzags for life’s flow and continuity

Tree/triangular shrubs for growth and lineage
These are arranged in a garden-panel (khesti-like) grid to showcase the pattern vocabulary—hence “motif sampler.”

Borders & layout.
The strong stepped mountain/wolf’s-tooth main border in navy and sky blue contains the busy field; thin ivory guards sharpen the composition and echo the ivory used inside many panels.

Signatures / marks.
No woven signature—typical for village kilims; the design language itself is the “maker’s mark.”

Handle, pile & density.
Flat, flexible handle; no pile. Medium tapestry density gives it good drape and easy maintenance.

Condition.
Excellent vintage condition: edges intact, ends finished with original fringe, only mild waviness and tiny weaving quirks inherent to handmade work. Clean, odor-free, ready to use.

Features at a glance

Type: Hand-woven kilim (slit-tapestry flat-weave)

Origin: Central/Western Anatolia, Turkey

Age: ca. 1990s–2000s

Size: 133 cm x 58 cm (approx. 4’4” x 1’11” / 52.4" x 22.8")

Materials: Wool weft, cotton warp; mixed natural/synthetic dyes

Pile: None (flat)

Weave density: ~5–6 warps/cm; 6–7 weft ribs/cm (est. from closeups)

Finish: Original fringes; overcast side edges

Condition: Excellent vintage; no holes, repairs or stains observed

Time to weave (est.): 2–3 weeks of loom time for a single weaver

Authentic Anatolian tribal symbols in a rare panel/sampler layout

Vivid, balanced palette: navy & sky blue frame, with emerald, madder red, saffron, purple, cream

Perfect hallway/accent size—easy to place, easy to love

Durable wool-on-cotton flatweave for low profile under doors and chairs

Ethnographic storytelling piece with educational value


Care instructions (flat-weave wool)

Use a rug pad to prevent slip and promote even wear.

Vacuum weekly with suction only (no beater bar).

Rotate every 3–6 months for even sun exposure.

Blot spills immediately with an absorbent cloth; for washes use cool water and a drop of wool soap.

For a full clean, choose a professional familiar with handwoven kilims.

Store rolled, not folded, in a breathable wrap.

Bring home a compact slice of Anatolian weaving culture—rich with symbols, color and story. If you’d like a custom pad or a short video of the piece in natural light, just