Shirvan Kilim
Last quarter 19th century
Medium
wool, plain and slit tapestry weaves; weft wrapping; cut warp fringe
Dimensions
374.7 × 183.5 cm (147 1/2 × 72 1/4 in.)
Classification
weaving - carpet
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
214907
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Flat-woven rugs or covers from the Middle East, eastern Europe, central Asia, and India, kilims are usually made in the slit tapesty technique, in which slits occur where an area of one color meets an area of another. Stepping is introduced along these lines in order to keep slits small and avoid structural weakness. Stepped or serrated edges are thus a hallmark of much kilim production. Patterns are generally geometric in nature, in harmony with the structural characteristics. This kilim, made ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...