Vintage Folk Art Kilim Rug – Handwoven Wool Pastoral Scene Tapestry

Bring a whole story onto your wall or floor with this charming vintage pictorial kilim. Hand-woven in the folk-art tradition, it shows a rural family, their animals and fields in joyful, stylised forms, all framed by fresh green reeds and grasses.

Worked in tightly packed wool on a light ground, this flatweave has the graphic look of mid-century illustration with the warmth and texture of hand-spun yarn – a perfect statement piece for bohemian, rustic or eclectic interiors.

Weaving tradition & construction

From the structure visible in the close-ups, this piece is a flat-weave tapestry / kilim, not a knotted-pile rug. The design is created by coloured wool wefts packed tightly over a lighter warp, giving a smooth, pile-less surface with crisp outlines to the figures and plants. There are no pile tufts or cut ends, and the pattern appears equally clear from the reverse, confirming tapestry technique rather than knotted construction.

Because it is a flatweave, there is no Turkish/Ghiordes or Senneh knot – the motif lines you see are formed by interlocking wefts. The selvedges are wrapped and reinforced, and the ends are finished with braided warps and short natural tassels.

Origin & age

The naive figural style, palette of teal, mustard, brick red and soft browns, and narrative village scene point to a Central / Eastern European folk-art weaving tradition, likely produced in a cottage or small workshop environment. The modern yet rustic colour choices and the condition of the wool suggest a late 20th-century date, circa 1970s–1980s.

Colours remain fresh with only gentle, even softening consistent with careful use and age.

Design, naqsha & motifs

The design reads from left to right like a story:

A mother and child in long dresses on the left, symbolising family and daily village life.

Two grazing animals (likely sheep or goats) in brown and black, each with tiny red hooves – classic symbols of livelihood and abundance.

A leaning tree with sweeping fronds, echoing palm leaves or tall reeds, emphasising fertility and a lush landscape.

A farmer guiding a plough drawn by a yellow and a black animal, representing work, harvest and the human relationship with the land.

Scattered birds and smaller animals complete the pastoral atmosphere.

The whole field is filled with rhythmic vertical plant motifs in green, olive and red bud shapes, giving the piece strong movement and a sense of wind-blown grasses. There is no separate border; instead the plants grow right to the edges, a typical choice in modern folk pictorial kilims where the story matters more than strict framing.

Symbolically, these motifs together evoke fertility, prosperity, protection of the herd, and harmony between people, animals and nature – themes that run through many rural weaving traditions.

Materials, handle & condition

Face yarn: Hand-spun or semi hand-spun wool wefts, giving a slightly irregular, lively texture.

Foundation: Light, strong cotton warps visible on the back and at the fringes, ideal for hanging.

Dyes: Colourfast mid-tone dyes in mustard gold, teal green, brick red, brown, black and cream – typical of mid-century folk textiles.

The weave appears medium-fine and very compact, giving a supple yet sturdy handle that folds easily (shown in the draped photos) but lies flat when displayed.

Condition is very good vintage:

No visible holes, tears, or major repairs.

Edges are intact with minor, expected age softening and a few tiny, scattered specks in the light ground if you look closely – completely normal for an older handwoven textile.
Overall it presents clean, strong and ready to hang or use.

Features:

Type: Vintage hand-woven flatweave kilim / tapestry

Weaving technique: Tapestry / kilim (flat-weave; no pile, no knots)

Origin: Central / Eastern European folk-art tradition (attributed)

Age: Circa 1970s–1980s

Size: 166 cm x 72 cm (including a small allowance for fringe)

Approx. 5 ft 5 in x 2 ft 4 in

Materials: Wool wefts on cotton warp

Pile height: Flatweave (essentially zero pile)

Construction density: Tight, medium-fine tapestry weave with compact weft packing

Ends & edges: Braided/knotted fringe at one end, plain warp fringe at the other; wrapped selvedges

Condition: Very good vintage, no structural damage; light age-appropriate wear

Hand-woven vintage pictorial kilim with a complete pastoral farm scene

Flatweave construction – lightweight, reversible and easy to hang as textile art

Warm, earthy palette of mustard, teal, cream, brick red and brown

Charming naive figures: family, livestock, working farmer, birds and trees

Symbolic motifs of fertility, abundance and harmony with nature

Ideal size for a hallway runner, over a console, above a bed or sofa, or stair landing

Sustainable slow-crafted decor: one-of-a-kind vintage textile, not mass-produced

Soft yet sturdy wool on cotton – comfortable underfoot and perfect as a wall hanging

Care Instructions

Vacuum gently with a low-suction nozzle or handheld vacuum; avoid rotating brush heads that can catch the weave.

For wall use, shake out occasionally outdoors to remove dust.

Spot clean immediately with a clean white cloth, dabbing (not rubbing) with cool water and a mild wool-safe detergent if needed.

Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach or soaking.

If a deeper clean is ever required, use a professional rug cleaner experienced with flatweave wool kilims.

Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight to preserve the colours.

When storing, roll (do not fold) with acid-free paper, and keep in a dry, ventilated space.



This vintage folk-art kilim is more than a rug – it’s a woven story of fields, animals and everyday life, captured in joyful colour and texture. Whether you hang it as textile art or lay it as a slim accent rug, it will instantly add character and warmth to your space.

If you’d like additional close-ups, styling ideas, or to pair this piece with one of your other pictorial kilims, send me a message – I’m happy to help you curate the perfect collection.