Vintage Kilim Runner 278 x 105 cm (9.1 x 3.4 ft) – Handwoven Anatolian Wool Hallway Rug in Soft Pastels & Bright Tribal Motifs

This long, light-filled kilim runner is a joyful piece of village weaving from the Anatolian tradition. Soft sand, oatmeal and stone tones are animated with pops of magenta, turquoise, citrus yellow and brick red, creating a runner that feels both earthy and playful. At 278 x 105 cm (about 9.1 x 3.4 ft) it’s an ideal size for a hallway, entry, kitchen or layered boho living room.

Entirely handwoven in wool with a flat, tapestry-style structure, this runner offers the easy care and durability that kilims are famous for, while its colourful tribal symbols bring a sense of story and heritage to your space.


Weaving tradition & structure

The flat construction with clearly visible warp and weft, along with slit-tapestry joins and pattern bands, identifies this as a handwoven kilim rather than a knotted-pile rug.

The look of the weave, colour sensibility and abstracted “T” and diamond motifs point strongly to Anatolian village weaving, likely from central or eastern Turkey.

Because it is a kilim, there is no knotted pile; instead, coloured wefts are tightly packed to create the pattern.

Age, materials & condition

The colours show gentle softening and some abrash (natural variation) but remain clear and lively, with no harsh chemical brightness. The structure looks sound with only light edge rounding and minor age-related irregularities.

This suggests a late 20th-century date, approximately 1980s–1990s.

Materials:

Weft (pattern): hand-spun wool in multiple colours.

Warp (foundation): likely cotton or undyed light wool; from the back, the warps appear lighter and tightly twisted.

Dyes appear to be a combination of natural-inspired and early synthetic dyes, typical for village work of this period.

Condition: Very good vintage – flat and sturdy with no obvious holes or major repairs, suitable for regular use.

Motifs, naqsha (pattern logic) & symbolism

The inner panel is framed by a black stepped outline, giving the impression of a central “doorway” within the runner.

Inside this field you see repeated hooked “T” shapes and diamonds in red, fuchsia and light blue. These are variations of classic ram’s-horn and fertility motifs, associated with strength, protection and prosperity in Anatolian weaving.

Bands of horizontal stripes in violet, aqua, rose and olive separate the motif fields, acting like “roads” or horizons across the rug and giving it a modern, linear rhythm.

The outer sides are filled with a staggered stepped cross / leaf repeat in soft beige, peach and lilac – a protective border suggesting continuity and surrounding the central field.

At each end, multi-coloured striped panels with tiny dotted motifs form visually weighty “skirts,” anchoring the composition and balancing the tall, narrow proportions.

Design theory

The weaver has treated the runner as a series of stacked panels to keep the eye moving along its length – perfect for a corridor or beside a bed where the rug is experienced as you walk.

The combination of neutral ground with bright, geom­etric symbols makes it very adaptable: it reads calm from a distance, but rewards close viewing with vibrant colour and detail.


Features:

Origin: Anatolian village weaving, Turkey

Type: Handwoven flatweave kilim runner

Size: 278 x 105 cm (approx. 9.1 x 3.4 ft)

Weave: Slit-tapestry kilim, flatweave (no pile)

Materials:

Wool weft (pattern and ground)

Light warp (likely cotton or undyed wool)

Age: Vintage, c. 1980s–1990s

Colours: Sand, oatmeal, beige, lilac, taupe, charcoal, magenta, fuchsia, turquoise, soft blue, citrus yellow, terracotta

Motifs: Ram’s-horn / “T” motifs, hooked diamonds, banded stripes, stepped border elements

Condition: Very good vintage – some gentle abrash and minor age-related irregularities; edges and fringes intact; structurally sound and ready to use

Construction: Completely handmade on a traditional loom

Generous 9 ft runner length perfect for hallways, galleries and kitchens

Light neutral base with joyful pops of colour – works with both minimal and eclectic interiors

Authentic Anatolian kilim with traditional tribal symbols for protection and prosperity

Flatweave construction makes it lightweight, easy to move, and friendly to doors and dining chairs

Reversible structure – can be used from either side for extended life

One-of-a-kind textile; not a printed or machine-woven copy

Care Instructions

Use a rug pad or underlay to prevent slipping and to keep the kilim lying flat.

Vacuum regularly with a suction-only head (no beater bar) to avoid pulling fibres. Vacuum both sides from time to time.

Rotate every few months to even out wear and sun exposure.

Clean spills immediately: blot with a clean, dry cloth, working from the outside of the spill inward. Avoid rubbing.

For deeper cleaning, use a professional cleaner experienced with handwoven kilims; do not machine wash or tumble dry.

If storing, roll (don’t fold) and keep in a dry, well-ventilated place, ideally wrapped in a breathable cotton sheet.


This colourful kilim runner brings a gentle brightness to any room – like a strip of Anatolian sunshine laid across your floor. Its blend of soft neutrals and gemstone colours works beautifully with wood, concrete, and modern furnishings, while the tribal motifs add soul and story.

If you can already picture it greeting you in your hallway or warming up your kitchen, don’t hesitate – pieces of this size and character are increasingly hard to find. Add it to your cart and I’ll ship it with care, rolled and wrapped securely so it arrives ready to enjoy.