From the area between Malatya, Adiyaman, Adana and Reyhanli, woven by Kurdish nomads probably within the Reshwan confederation but with Turkmen influence. The drawing is very fine, including Memling guls and vulture motifs in one end border. The dyes are all natural and well saturated, including lovely hues of cochineal. The warps are a mix of twisted natural ivory white sheep wool and black goat hair (see detailed photos from link below). Traces of a cicim embroidered line decoration down the edges of the kilim (last two rows of detailed photos) also suggest an Adiyaman influence. Indeed Kurdish nomads from this area used to winter in the Reyhanli area near the Syrian border. (Thanks to Deniz Coşkun for this information).

The kilim is is very good original condition with no repairs and just one small nick to the lower left edge (last in detailed photos) and some unravelling of the plaited fringe. 3cm antique bronze rings on the back indicate the kilim has been used as a hanging, which helps to explain its unusual fine original condition for kilim of this age. The kilim is a wonderful and unusual example of a genuine tribal, pre-commercial period kilim from the mid 19th century. Size 320cm x 126cm.

For detailed photos see: http://www.kilim.ie/ANTIQUE_KILIMS/Pages/Mid_19th_C._Reyhanli_kilim_320x...

Please contact me for more information.