Vintage Egyptian Kilim: Hand-Woven Wool Camel & Oasis Wall Hanging

Welcome!

Looking for a soulful handcrafted piece with story and texture? This vintage Egyptian kilim depicts a classic desert oasis—camel, domed mudbrick houses, palms, dunes and a warm sun—woven entirely by hand in soft natural wools. It’s equally beautiful on the floor or displayed as wall art.



Weaving tradition & construction.
From the visual evidence, this is an Egyptian tapestry-woven kilim (flatweave), likely from the Fowa/Akhmim workshop tradition along the Nile. You can see the slit-tapestry technique in the crisp color joins (close-ups 4–7) and the weft-faced surface with no pile. The white warp fringes at both ends and the twined finish are typical of Egyptian kilims made for home and wall use in the late 20th century.

Knot structure.
Not knotted—no Ghiordes/Symmetrical or Senneh/Asymmetrical knots are present. The pattern is created by interlocking/adjacent colored wefts packed tightly over cotton warps.

Origin indicators.
The mudbrick houses with arched doors, pyramidal dunes, date palms, solitary camel, and the monochrome sand-and-cocoa palette are classic Egyptian pictorial subjects produced for the local and traveler market from the 1960s–1990s. The simple braided/knotted warp tassels and lack of side selvedge overcasting further align with this regional make.

Age estimate.
Surface oxidation on the dark brown wefts, mellowed ivory ground, gentle waviness and light end fray suggest late 20th century (c. 1975–1995).

Materials.

Wefts: hand-spun wool in undyed/naturally dyed browns, camel, and dark chocolate; ivory likely sheep’s white.

Warps: cotton (see the bright white fringe).
Dyes appear largely undyed/natural with possibly low-chroma synthetic dark brown accents typical of the era.

Handle, thickness & density.
Medium, sturdy flatweave with a supple hand. Approx. 5–7 picks (weft passes) per cm (~12–18 per inch); thickness about 3–4 mm.

Motifs & cultural reading.

Camel: travel, endurance and caravan trade.

Date palms & oasis watercourse: life, nourishment, hospitality.

Sun: warmth/continuity.
The layout reads in horizontal registers—sky; horizon band with homes and palms; broad sand field; foreground camel on a darker dune—an intentional narrative “landscape” composition used in Nile kilims.

Borders.
Edgeless field with simple banding at the ends; this keeps the focus on the pictorial scene—another hallmark of Egyptian wall/rug art kilims.

Condition (honest assessment).
Clean, sturdy and ready to use. Light, even age-fade; minor waviness (typical of handloom work); small end-fray and a few irregular weft joins visible in the close-ups; no holes, tears or odors. Presentable as is.

Features:

Type: Hand-woven kilim (flatweave), slit-tapestry construction

Origin: Egypt, Nile tradition (Fowa/Akhmim circle)

Age: c. 1975–1995 (vintage)

Size: 102 cm × 71 cm (approx. 3’4” × 2’4”)

Materials: Wool wefts on cotton warps

Thickness: ~3–4 mm (flat)

Density: ~12–18 weft picks per inch (ppi); KPSI not applicable for flatweaves

Ends/Edges: Twined/knotted warp tassels; plain side finishes

Palette: Ivory, sand, camel, cocoa, dark brown

Use: Floor accent, wall hanging, door panel, nursery/office art

Time investment: For a single weaver, this size and density typically requires 3–5 working days to weave plus finishing.

Authentic Egyptian desert-oasis scene with camel and palms

Hand-spun wool gives beautiful natural color variegation

Versatile size—great wall art or small floor accent

Neutral, earthy palette that plays well with many interiors

Ethically vintage & one-of-a-kind

Care Instructions (flatweave wool)

Use a rug pad to prevent slip and ease vacuuming.

Vacuum weekly with suction only (no beater bar).

Rotate every few months for even wear/fade.

Spot clean promptly with cool water and a drop of wool-safe soap; blot—don’t rub.

For a full wash, choose a professional hand-wash rug cleaner familiar with flatweaves.

If hanging, use a Velcro/cotton sleeve or evenly spaced clips to support the width.

Styling Ideas

Perfect for bohemian, desert modern, Mediterranean, Japandi neutrals, and eclectic spaces. Hang it above a sofa or bed, layer it in an entry, or add warmth to a reading nook or child’s room with an imaginative landscape.


Bring home a hand-woven story.

This kilim carries the warmth of desert light and the rhythm of hand-spun wool. If you’d like me to add sewn hanging tabs or a Velcro sleeve for wall display, just say the word—I’m happy to prepare it for your space.