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The charm of kilims and cushions and points to consider when purchasing them! Also popular as interior decoration

HOME≫Column list≫ The charm of kilims and cushions and points to consider when purchasing! Also popular as interior decoration

Table of contents

1.Introducing the charms of kilims, which are popular as interior decorations!

1-1.Where does kilim come from?

　1-2．Typical kilim motifs and meanings

2.Kilim transforms into a cushion cover

2-1.Characteristics of antique kilims, old kilims, and new kilims

2-2.We recommend square or pillow size cushions!

If you are looking for kilims and cushions for your home, salon or office interior, look no further than Sultan. We will introduce you to the origin of kilims, their meanings and representative motifs, and how to choose the size of your cushion.

Introducing the charms of kilims, which are popular as interior decorations!

Türkiye is a country known for being pro-Japanese. Not only is it an overseas travel destination, but it is also attractive for its food, culture, and miscellaneous goods such as cloth and leather goods, and its traditional kilims are also attracting attention. Kilim is a traditional textile of nomads in Turkey, Afghanistan, Morocco, etc. Due to its thin finish, light weight, and the ability to be folded and carried, it has been an essential part of nomadic life for centuries.

Turkish kilims in particular were recognized for their artistic value in Europe early on, and have since spread around the world through antique collectors. They are now popular not only in Europe but also in the United States, and have also been introduced to Japan since the early 1990s.

Where does kilim come from?

First of all, kilim is a textile handed down by nomads who migrate from West Asia to Central Asia, including Turkey, Afghanistan, and Morocco. It was born in their lives and has been passed down with great care. It has a very long history and is said to have been woven for over 1500 years.

In a broad sense, kilim means plain-woven fabric, and is woven with threads mainly made from sheep's wool, goat's hair, and cotton. In the past, it was a handiwork of women during their nomadic lives, and it was also used as a way to express their emotions, and it was used as an ornament to decorate the living space, and as a dowry, and was part of the property. .

Kilim is a textile handed down by nomadic tribes that travel throughout West Asia and Central Asia.

Based on inspiration from the colors and shapes of animals, plants, flowers, etc., we use traditional colors, designs, and patterns that have been passed down within regions and tribes, as well as the various feelings that arise in daily life. With this in mind, we created it as a single "fabric."

As a result, originality was born in techniques and expressions, and color schemes, designs, weaving methods, etc. differed from tribe to tribe and were passed down as traditions.

There are six main regions where kilims are produced, and the unique kilims of each region are sometimes called by the name of the region or tribe in which they were woven (for example, kilims woven in Turkey are Konyakirim, Kayseri kilim, etc.).

◇Türkiye (Anatolia)

Van, Qas, Sivas, Erzurum, Malatya, Konya, Kayseri, Berga, Afyon, Mut, Usak, Fatima, Antalya, Sharchoy, etc.

Kilm from Turkey is attractive for its variety of colors and patterns. While traditional motifs and patterns are inherited, many are boldly deformed.

◇Iran (Persia)

Sene, Afshar, Veramin, Kashgai, Bakhtiari, Raleigh, Qazbeen etc.

Iranian kilims are characterized by the preservation of the ancient hand-weaving traditions. They are often dark in color, have a limited number of colors, and are woven roughly with thick threads.

◇Caucasus

Kuba, Karabakh, Shirvan, Dagestan, etc.

Although the number and pattern of kilims are not that large, their quality is highly praised around the world. It is characterized by its large size and bold patterns, and the region of origin can be identified by the pattern.

◇Afghanistan

Turkmen, Uzbek, Hazara, Baluch, etc.

The kilims of Afghanistan can be grouped into Turkic, Mongol, and Baluchi tribes, and each tribe's original patterns and unique colors can be seen.

◇Central Asia
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan etc.

With a long history of great ethnic migrations, the country has a wide variety of durable kilims, not only for rugs but also for use as saddle straps and tent bands.

◇ North Africa (Morocco)

Berber et al.

It features bright colors and bold designs.

Nowadays, the number of "semi-agricultural, semi-nomadic" people who live half settled and half nomadic lives depending on the season is increasing, but kilims are still passed down. They are also used as markers to mark spaces for offering prayers to the gods, and are an indispensable part of people's lives.

Typical kilim motifs and meanings

Many of the nomads who now weave kilims are Muslims, but the history of kilims is older than the history of Islam, and the original form is said to have been created in 3000 BC, and it was once a figurative Flowers and birds were depicted.

With the spread of Islam, idol worship (worshiping flowers, birds, and people themselves), which is prohibited in Islam, led to motifs that were converted into geometric patterns. We would like to introduce some of the typical kilim motifs that represent the wishes, prayers, dreams, joys, and other feelings of the women who weave them.

We will introduce the motifs and meanings of typical kilims.

Kilims are not only used as rugs, but are also useful in a variety of everyday situations, so the thickness, size, and shape of the finished product are adjusted to suit the intended use. Old kilims are also sometimes remade into cushion covers, and are treasured for many years to come.

At Sultan, we sometimes receive inquiries about custom-made cushions (covers) using kilim. Please feel free to contact us first, as we will be able to assist you after asking about your size and budget.

Kilim transforms into a cushion cover

Due to the popularity of kilims in Europe and America and changes in nomadic lifestyles, kilims are also changing as they are becoming more and more manufactured products in factories. There are many people who prefer uniform machine products, but in Europe, where tradition is valued, kilims are seen as works of art, and their "tradition" is highly valued.

You may think that once a fabric product gets old, you have no choice but to throw it away, but old kilims, antiques made using traditional methods, are an exception. If there are any undamaged parts, you can continue using them by remaking them into cushion covers, bags, interior accessories, etc.

Characteristics of antique kilims, old kilims, and new kilims

Kilims are categorized as antique kilims, old kilims, and new kilims depending on how long it has been since they were woven.

Sultan mainly deals in antique and old kilims that have been hand-woven using traditional methods over a long period of time. We also accept orders for new kilims upon request.

◇Antique Kilim

This refers to items that have been woven for more than 100 years, but it is not as simple as ``the older, the better.''

Its value is determined by judging the originality and uniqueness of the design and pattern, as well as the weaving technique.

Among them, those that are preserved in good condition are highly valued and are coveted by collectors around the world. In Japan during the Sengoku period, there is a history that Toyotomi Hideyoshi wore a kilim jacket, which is still kept at Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto.

◇Old Kilim

Refers to items that have been woven for more than 50 years but less than 100 years. It has just the right amount of time-honoured flavor and can be picked up in better condition than antique kilims. Of course, it can be used for practical purposes as a rug, but we also recommend hanging it on the wall and enjoying it like a painting. Also, kilims that have been woven for more than 20 years but less than 50 years are sometimes called semi-old kilims.

◇New Kilim

This refers to items that have been woven for less than 20 years. Although they are hand-woven, many of them are made from machine-spun wool threads and dyed with chemical dyes. New kilims also have the appeal of being able to reproduce modern patterns that were not found in old or antique kilims, and that they can be purchased at relatively low prices. Furthermore, as the years go by, the texture will increase, so you can enjoy the changes and pass it on to your family.

Additionally, old kilims that are generally difficult to repair can be remade using undamaged parts. Even though a rug is valuable and of high quality, there are some issues that make it less popular as a rug, but you can still use only the usable parts and make it into a new form to pass it down.

A popular remade item is the kilim cushion. If you gently place a ``reasonably sized'' cushion on the sofa, it will be useful to create a sense of unity in the interior or add an accent.

We recommend square or pillow size cushions!

I think it would be best to use a square cushion with sides of 50cm x 50cm, or a stylish pillow size of 40cm x 60cm. Of course, it depends on the size of the sofa, but it is perfect for a person to lean on or hold when relaxing while sitting, and it is also easy to use as a lumbar rest or pillow.

About 2 to 4 items will fit in a well-balanced manner for a two-seater or three-seater sofa. Of course, it's not just a place to put it, it's also practical. For example, when reading or using the Internet. If you hold a book, PC, tablet, smartphone, etc. in the same position for a long time, you will get tired.

We recommend square or pillow size cushions!

Placing a cushion on your knees to support your body and arms will reduce the burden and create a posture that is less tiring. If you find it difficult to sit on a deep sofa, you can adjust the seat surface and sit in a comfortable position by using the backrest to fit your body.

In addition, the square and pillow-sized cushions are close to the size of a baby's body, so they are also useful when breastfeeding. The entire cushion supports the baby's body, increasing stability and allowing both the baby and the mother to spend time in a relaxed position.

If you don't have a sofa and want to relax in a room with wooden floors or tatami mats, we recommend a long pillow with a larger size of 40cm x 80cm. It has a stronger presence than the square size and gives a three-dimensional feel to the space, making the beauty of the cover's pattern stand out even more.

Not only can you use it when you want to add some color to your room because the entire room is simple, but you can also decorate it as a decorative pillow (a general term for pillows and cushions placed on top of your bed as interior decoration), making it look like something out of an overseas hotel. You can create a stylish atmosphere like this.

By deciding where to place (decorate) the cushion and then selecting it by size, you should be able to find the perfect accent for your familiar space.

Recommended for interior design! Kilim cushions from Sultan

Sultanでは、オーダーメイドのご相談はもちろんのこと、お受け取り後にすぐご使用いただける中材付クッションカバーも豊富にご用意しております。

サイズは、スクエア（50cm×50cm）・ピロー（40cm×60cm）・ロングピロー（40cm×80cm）の３サイズを中心に、素材はオリジナル配合のスルタンベルベット・ベルベット・スザニ（刺繍）・イカット・シルクがございます。それぞれ、デザインに関する情報と、サイズ・お手入れ（カバーの洗濯）方法・特性も併せてご案内しておりますので、ぜひじっくりご覧ください。

代々キリムや絨毯のアンティークコレクターとしても活躍してきたトルコ人デザイナーがセレクトした上質なファブリックと、日本人プロデューサー・スリランカ人アートディレクターのグローバルな価値観が融合した、上品で贅沢な仕上がりです。トルコの世界遺産都市“イスタンブール”でデザインされ、職人が一つずつ丁寧につくっているため、まるで芸術品のような印象です。

ラグジュアリー・高品質なインテリアで彩られた生活空間では、自然と笑みがこぼれます。Sultanは、そんな幸せを、皆さまにもぜひ味わっていただきたいと思っております。インテリア用にキリムやクッションをお探しでしたら、お気軽にSultanでお選びください。

キリムのクッションをお探しならSultan！