Known for their wealth of rich colors and unique weaving tradition, antique and vintage kilim rugs are one of the most distinguishable types of rugs. The term “kilim” is Turkish in origin, but many variations of this type of textile share a common heritage and are practiced all across the Balkans, throughout the Arab world and elsewhere. There are Persian kilim rugs, kilim rugs from Central Asia and more.
It is difficult to definitively pin down the origins of kilim weaving, which is known as a “flatweave” or “slit-weave,” but historians believe that skilled artisans may have practiced versions of it as early as the eighth and ninth centuries A.D. in the Anatolia region of Turkey. Many of the Turkish iterations of these flat-woven rugs are recognizable for their arrangements of dazzling, flowing forms, but a range of motifs can appear in kilim rugs — abstract figures that reference rams’ horns, snakes or running water or motifs that are intended to symbolize concepts such as the tree of life or fertility. In Anatolia, women have used kilims to share narratives about their lives.
The difference between a kilim rug and most other kinds of carpets or pile rugs is in the aforementioned weave. They are made by interweaving variously colored, individual strands of wool (pure soft cotton, silk and goat’s hair are also used with the wool, albeit rarely) versus, say, the Tabriz rugs of Iran, which are hand-knotted rugs. This results in a smooth, frequently reversible surface. It’s a slit-weave because of the gap left between two blocks of color. Kilims are created on a loom, a typically uncomplicated structure mostly made of wood. Owing to the creative freedom that a slit-weave can afford its weaver, they tend to feature a range of bright, contrasting hues like reds, oranges and pinks that appear in bold combinations with deep blues and greens that are brought to life with natural dyes.
Handwoven kilim rugs are less expensive to produce and more durable than other rugs. They were traditionally used as floor coverings in mosques and yurts, as prayer rugs and saddle coverings. And these textiles are pileless: Whereas the Beni Ourain rugs of Morocco can be described as dense with a thick surface or pile, an authentic kilim rug is thin and flat. Because the resulting weave is lightweight, kilim rugs are well adapted for use in the hot summer months, and they are happily embraced by tribal weavers of Morocco, a part of the world that is home to many styles of rugs.
With their striking geometric patterns and provocative color pairings, kilim rugs and wall tapestries are loved by design enthusiasts and can bring charm and interest into any dining room, living room or other interior space.
Find kilim rugs and textiles and other vintage rugs on 1stDibs.
$456Sale Price|20% Off
Semi Old Vintage Handwoven Wool Mut Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Anatolian Vintage / Semi-old Handwoven Kilim from the town of Mut in Mersin Province, located in the Mediterranean region of Anatolia, Turkey. These kilims are renown...
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber
$2,960Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Afyon Kilim Western Anatolian Rug Old Traditional Natural Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is Western Anatolian Vintage Kilim from the Afyon region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This highly collectible antique kilim has a wonderful special color and t...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$1,200Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Kayseri Kilim Central Anatolian Wool Rug Old Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Anatolian Old Kilim from the Kayseri region with a rare and beautiful color composition. The earliest recorded occupation of Kayseri dates back to Hellenistic ti...
Wool, Natural Fiber
Antique Konya Kilim Rug Wool Old Central Anatolian Traditional Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is Central Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Konya region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This highly collectible antique kilim has wonderful special colors and tex...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$930Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Old Kars Runner Kilim Eastern Turkey Anatolian Rug Turkish Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is an old vintage kilim from the Kars region in northeastern Anatolia. The old sector and newer southern districts of Kars are joined by a bridge built by the Seljuk Turks over...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Malatya Kilim Cuval Rug Wool Goat Hair Chuval Anatolian Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is Eastern Anatolian Vintage Chuval Kilim from the Malatya region with wool & Goat hair threads and a rare, beautiful color composition. This highly collectible antique kilim h...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$408Sale Price|20% Off
New Handwoven Wool Kayseri Village Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Anatolian 'New / Not Used' Handwoven Kilim from the Bahcecik Village, Kayseri region with a rare and beautiful color composition. The earliest recorded occupation ...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$4,875Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Kayseri Kilim Central Anatolia Rug Old Turkish Wool Runner Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a large antique Central Anatolian Kilim from the Kayseri region with a rare and beautiful color composition. It is a very large piece, measuring 4.5 meters in length and 1.5...
Wool, Natural Fiber
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Geometric Classic Taupe With Light Beige Rug
Located in New York, NY
A masterclass in understated elegance, this mid-20th-century vintage Persian Kilim rug-dating to the 1950s-embodies the artisanal precision and humble beauty of traditional Iranian f...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Light Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Persian Kilim rug, handwoven in 1956, is a striking example of minimalist elegance and understated craftsmanship. Woven in the traditional flat-weave Kilim technique, th...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped White Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Persian Kilim rug, crafted circa 1955, is a striking example of timeless tribal textile art. Woven entirely by hand from natural wool, the rug showcases a minimalist yet...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Light Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Runner
Located in New York, NY
This striking mid-century Persian Kilim rug from 1955 is a compelling example of minimalist tribal craftsmanship. Woven entirely by hand, it features a streamlined and rhythmic horiz...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Light Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Persian Kilim rug, dating back to the 1950s, is a striking example of understated elegance rooted in traditional craftsmanship. Woven by hand using undyed natural wool, ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Oversized Soft Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional vintage Persian Kilim from 1958 is a masterclass in understated sophistication and traditional craftsmanship. Woven entirely by hand, it embodies the authentic spiri...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped White And Navy Blue Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
This striking Vintage Persian Kilim from 1958 offers a masterclass in minimalist design and artisanal craftsmanship. Rendered in a crisp palette of indigo blue and ivory, the rug pre...
Wool
New Manisa Fine Handwoven Modern Kilim West Anatolian Rug Turkish Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Western Anatolian Modern 'New' Fine Kilim from the Manisa region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This kilim is woven according to traditional kilim technique...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$704Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Old Sofreh Kilim Central Anatolian Sofra Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Sofreh—a type of kilim traditionally used for serving meals. Because of its intended purpose, it is woven using a particularly soft and loose flatweave, making it thinner a...
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Light Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
This captivating vintage Persian Kilim rug from 1958 is a masterclass in balance, rhythm, and restrained elegance. Woven by hand using traditional flat-weave techniques, the rug show...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Geometric Light Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mid-20th-century Persian Kilim rug, handwoven circa 1956. This elegant flat-weave rug exemplifies the minimalist sophistication of vintage tribal textiles from Iran. It features a ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Soft Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Handwoven in the 1960s, this vintage Persian Kilim rug exemplifies the quiet elegance and utilitarian beauty characteristic of tribal weaving from mid-20th-century Iran. Constructed ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Ivory And Charcoal Hand-Knotted Wool Runner
Located in New York, NY
Bold in simplicity and rich in character, this vintage Persian Kilim runner from the 1960s captures the enduring appeal of tribal craftsmanship. Handwoven with natural wool in Iran, ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Ivory And Charcoal Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mid-century Persian Kilim rug from the 1950s, woven in a striking black and ivory palette. The minimalist design features alternating horizontal stripes arranged in vertical column...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Light Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Persian Kilim rug from the 1960s is a masterclass in understated elegance, embodying the essence of minimalist beauty and artisanal craftsmanship. Woven by hand using tr...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Turkish Striped Light Beige And Warm Tan Rug
Located in New York, NY
This 1940s vintage Turkish Kilim rug is a striking example of Anatolian flat-weave artistry, showcasing the timeless elegance of minimalist design with a tribal edge. Handwoven from ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Cream Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional vintage Persian Kilim rug, dating to the mid-20th century, showcases a sophisticated minimalist aesthetic that aligns perfectly with both traditional and modern inte...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Taupe with Beige Vintage Striped Taupe And Beige Rug
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Persian Kilim rug, available at Doris Leslie Blau, is a stunning example of mid-20th-century craftsmanship. Handwoven around 1950, it features a beautifully understated ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Floral Slate Gray Hand-Knotted Wool Runner Bamboo
Located in New York, NY
This rare 1940s vintage Kilim runner embodies the elegant restraint and refined minimalism characteristic of mid-century textile art. Woven in subtle tonal variations of earthy green...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Turkish Striped Light Beige And Warm Tan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A striking example of traditional Anatolian craftsmanship, this vintage Turkish Kilim from the 1940s radiates warmth, simplicity, and an authentic rural charm. Handwoven in flat-weav...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Light Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional vintage Kilim rug from the 1950s is a harmonious tribute to minimalist design, earthy color palettes, and artisanal craftsmanship. Handwoven in mid-century Anatolia,...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Pale Sand Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
This striking 1956 Vintage Persian Kilim rug presents a compelling visual narrative grounded in the earthy traditions of tribal weaving, yet subtly infused with a modernist aesthetic...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Light Beige Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
A striking example of mid-century tribal design, this 1955 Persian Kilim rug exudes understated elegance with its minimalist aesthetic and refined execution. Woven by hand from high-...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Striped Warm Tan With Light Beige Hand-Knotted Runner
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Persian Kilim runner is a prime example of minimalist design with a timeless rustic charm. Handwoven in Persia using traditional flatweave techniques, the rug features a...
Wool
Contemporary Abstract Kilim Flatweave Carpet "Tattoo" By Kim Alexandriuk
Located in New York, NY
Kim Alexandriuk evokes traditional tribal patterns but assembles them with a more modern sensibility, while also doing a riff on traditional rugs by modern mélange of curved shapes w...
Wool
Modern Flatweave Kilim Soft Beige With Taupe Rug Reverie" by Doris Leslie Blau
Located in New York, NY
The Doris Leslie Blau Contemporary Modernist Kilim Rug is a sophisticated flat-weave piece that seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Measuring 8'6" × 1...
Wool
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Aydin Cine Kilim Rug Wool Old Vintage Western Anatolian Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Western Anatolian Antique Runner Kilim from the Cine, Aydin region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This highly collectible antique kilim has wonderful, specia...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$1,504Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Rashwan Malatya Kilim Rug Wool Vintage Eastern Anatolian Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is an Eastern Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Rashwan, Malatya region, with a rare and beautiful color composition. This highly collectible antique kilim has wonderful special...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$544Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Old Bergama Kilim Cuval Rug Chuval Mat Anatolian Turkish Yastik Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Western Anatolian Vintage Chuval Kilim from the Bergama ( Pergamon ) region with wool threads and a rare, beautiful color composition. This highly collectible old cuval ki...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$2,437Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Old Kagizman Kars Kilim Eastern Anatolian Rug Turkish Wool Runner Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This beautiful old kilim with unique coloring is from the town of Kagzizman in the Kars region, eastern Turkey. It is a masterpiece that is over 4 meters long. However, the pattern ...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
Old Adana Kilim Southern Anatolian Carpet Turkish Rug Central Anatolian Style
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Southern Anatolian made in two halves of old Kilim from the Adana region. It has a rare and beautiful color composition, similar to central Anatolian motifs and design. Ad...
Wool, Natural Fiber
Antique Aydin Kilim Rug Wool Old Vintage Western Anatolian Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is Western Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Aydin region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This highly collectible antique kilim has wonderful special colors and tex...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$3,562Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Kars Kilim Rug Old Eastern Anatolian Wool Pastel Colors Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is an Eastern Anatolian Vintage Kilim from the Kars region with a rare and beautiful color composition. The old sector and newer southern districts of Kars are joined by a br...
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
$12,800Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Malatya Kilim Rug Anatolia Old Turkish Carpet South Eastern Anatolian
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Southern Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Malatya region with a rare and beautiful color composition. Malatya is one of the leading producers of kilims in Turkey. Fertil...
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
$544Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Old Bergama Kilim Cuval Rug Chuval Mat Anatolian Turkish Yastik Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Western Anatolian Vintage Chuval Kilim from the Bergama ( Pergamon ) region with wool threads and a rare, beautiful color composition. This highly collectible old cuval ki...
Wool, Natural Fiber
Antique Bayburt Nomad Kilim Eastern Anatolian Rug Gocmen Yoruk Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is an Eastern Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Bayburt region with a rare and beautiful color composition. The deep green in the central field is particularly impressive and ...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Konya Kilim Rug Wool Geometric Central Anatolian Old Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is Central Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Konya region with a rare and beautiful muted color composition. This highly collectible antique kilim has wonderful, special colors ...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$720Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Old Antep Cecim Jijim Kilim Eastern Anatolia Turkish Rug Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is an Eastern Anatolian vintage old Cecim ( Cicim or Jijim) Kilim from the Gaziantep region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This town lies in south-eastern Turkey,...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$624Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Old Mihrab Kilim Konya Rug Central Anatolian Natural Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a traditionally handwoven Mihrab-style kilim from Türkiye, crafted with 100% wool and measuring 76 cm x 116 cm. Design and Colors This kilim features a classic Mihrab design...
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
$784Sale Price|20% Off
Red & Lavender Pirot Kilim • Vintage European Flatweave Rug • Balkans 1960s
Located in Burlingame, CA
This Pirot (Sarkoy) kilim from the Balkans is a vibrant example of mid-20th-century Southeastern European craftsmanship. Woven in the 1960s from hand-spun wool naturally dyed with ro...
Wool, Cotton
$744Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Sarkoy Kilim Rug, Western Anatolian Turkish Carpet, Balkan Style Unique
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Vintage & Unique Sarkoy ( Sharkoy or Şarköy ) Kilim rug from Western Turkey with a rare and beautiful color composition. Sarkoy kilims are very finely woven in slitweave i...
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
$464Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Maras Old Kilim Southeastern Anatolian Rug Wool Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Eastern Anatolian Old Kilim from the Maras region with a rare and beautiful color composition.
Wool, Natural Fiber
$456Sale Price|20% Off
Semi Old Vintage Handwoven Wool Mut Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Anatolian Vintage / Semi-old Handwoven Kilim from the town of Mut in Mersin Province, located in the Mediterranean region of Anatolia, Turkey. These kilims are renown...
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber
$2,100Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Old Antep Cecim Jijim Kilim Eastern Anatolia Turkish Rug Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is an Eastern Anatolian vintage old Cecim ( Cicim or Jijim) Kilim from the Gaziantep region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This town lies in south-eastern Turkey,...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$560Sale Price|20% Off
Semi Old Vintage Handwoven Wool Mut Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Anatolian Vintage / Semi-old Handwoven Kilim from the town of Mut in Mersin Province, located in the Mediterranean region of Anatolia, Turkey. These kilims are renown...
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber
$376Sale Price|20% Off
Semi Old Vintage Handwoven Wool Mut Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Anatolian Vintage / Semi-old Handwoven Kilim from the town of Mut in Mersin Province, located in the Mediterranean region of Anatolia, Turkey. These kilims are renown...
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Old Antep Cecim Jijim Kilim Eastern Anatolia Turkish Rug Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is an Eastern Anatolian vintage old Cecim ( Cicim or Jijim) Kilim from the Gaziantep region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This town lies in south-eastern Turkey,...
Wool, Natural Fiber
New Manisa Fine Handwoven Modern Kilim West Anatolian Rug Turkish Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Western Anatolian Modern 'New' Fine Kilim from the Manisa region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This kilim is woven according to traditional kilim technique...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Sarkoy Kilim Rug, Western Anatolian Turkish Carpet, Balkan Style Unique
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is an Antique Unique Sarkoy (Sharkoy or Sarköy) Kilim rug from Western Turkey with a rare and beautiful color composition. Sarkoy kilims are very finely woven in slitweave in a...
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Antique Corum Mihrab Kilim Rug Wool Old Central Anatolian Chorum Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Corum (Chorum), featuring a rare and beautiful color composition. This highly collectible antique kilim has wonderful, special col...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$1,312Sale Price|20% Off
New Handwoven Wool Ushak Oushak Fine Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Anatolian 'New / Not Used' Handwoven Fine Kilim from the Ushak region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This is a new kilim from Uşak (Oushak, Ushak), W...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Caucasian Kuba Super Fine Kilim Caucasus Old Rug Quba Embroidered Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a unique, Caucasian Old Kilim from the Kuba (Quba) region with three medallions, rare embroidery, and beautiful color composition. This Kilim is from Kuba, a city in Azerbai...
Wool, Natural Fiber