Vintage jijim rug hand-woven in the second half of the 20th century in Turkey. Jijim is a Turkish word for a kilim made using the supplementary weft technique.
Colors
- Rich Color Palette: The rug features a vibrant combination of reds, greens, yellows, and blues.
- Dominant Green Background: The deep green serves as a stabilizing foundation, evoking the natural tones of Anatolian landscapes.
- Contrasting Bright Colors: Sizzling reds and yellows stand out against the green, creating visual interest and energy.
- Earthy Tones: The occasional use of beige complements the brighter colors and adds depth to the overall design.
- Intricate Borders: The borders are detailed with similar vibrant hues, framing the central motifs effectively.
Design Elements
- Jijim Technique: This technique involves weaving with supplementary wefts, creating a textured surface filled with intricate patterns.
- Hexagonal Patterns: The main field is decorated with honeycomb-like hexagons, symbolizing unity and togetherness.
- Star Motifs: Stars present within the hexagons signify protection and hope, reflecting cultural beliefs about celestial guidance.
- Geometric Shapes: Triangles, diamonds, and stripes found throughout represent the connection between the earthly and the spiritual realms.
- Proliferation of Patterns: The constant repetition of motifs symbolizes abundance and prosperity, echoing the wishes of the weaver for their home.
Meaning of the Main Motifs
- Flowers: Floral motifs generally represent life and fertility, symbolizing the vibrancy of nature and the hope for future blessings.
- Home Symbols: Representations of homes in the design reflect a longing for safety and stability, indicative of familial bonds.
- Crosses: Symbolizing the intersection of earthly and divine, crosses often represent a journey or life path.
- Combinations of Patterns: Each combination tells a different story, intertwined with the life experiences of the weaver, their family, and their community.
Summary
The vintage Anatolian kilim rug displays a rich color palette dominated by green, complemented by vibrant reds, yellows, and earthy tones. The jijim weaving technique creates a textured feel, characterized by hexagonal patterns that symbolize unity. With star motifs representing protection and hope, along with various other symbolic patterns like flowers, the rug encapsulates a blend of cultural significance, celebrating life, family, and abundance. Each design element interweaves the weaver’s cultural heritage, reflecting their aspirations and beliefs.
Just what I ordered!