Reference
The Rug Library
568 short facts on Indian carpet history, making, materials, motifs and care. Each one links to the source it paraphrases, so you can read further — and check our work.
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The Changthangi goat of Ladakh's high Changthang plateau, herded by the nomadic Changpa, grows a thick winter undercoat that is harvested as fine pashmina.
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- Source-linked
- Paraphrased from the linked source, pending editorial review. (391)
- Needs review
- Partially supported by the linked source; treat with care until reviewed. (177)
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8 facts in Kilim Techniques
Clear all filters- Kilim TechniquesSource-linked
A kilim is a flat-woven textile typically made in slit tapestry, where wefts of different colours turn back around adjacent warps, leaving small vertical slits where colour areas meet.
Source: Kilim | Handwoven, Woolen, Geometric | Britannica (opens in a new tab)
- Kilim TechniquesSource-linked
Because long vertical slits weaken a kilim, weavers often favour diagonal and stepped designs that keep each slit short.
- Kilim TechniquesSource-linked
Kilims, jajams, baluchis and shatranjis were among the floor coverings made in Akbar's farrash-khanas, drawing on weavers who came from Iran and Central Asia.
North India · 16th century (reign of Akbar)
Source: Carpet and Rug Weaving in India - MAP Academy (opens in a new tab)
- Kilim TechniquesSource-linked
MAP Academy describes flat-woven, pileless kilims with Persian floral and geometric designs as being introduced to India during the Mughal period through imperial workshops.
India · Mughal period
- Kilim TechniquesSource-linked
In a single-interlock tapestry join, a weft of one colour loops once around the adjacent weft; in double interlock the wefts wrap around each other in pairs for a closer joint.
Source: KELIM (GELIM) - Encyclopaedia Iranica (opens in a new tab)
- Kilim TechniquesSource-linked
Dovetailing is a shared-warp join in which wefts from two adjacent colour areas each wrap around a common warp before returning to their own areas.
Source: KELIM (GELIM) - Encyclopaedia Iranica (opens in a new tab)
- Kilim TechniquesNeeds review
Some kilim weavers use eccentric wefts, which are not beaten in at right angles to the warp, allowing curved outlines and special colour effects.
Source: KELIM (GELIM) - Encyclopaedia Iranica (opens in a new tab)
- Kilim TechniquesSource-linked
In a kilim the wefts are packed so tightly that they completely hide the warps, so only the weft colours are visible on the finished face.