Kilim, cotton and wool, turkish, unknown date, gift of L.B. Audigier, 1934.1.
Kilim rugs primarily refer to a type of flat woven rug that are produced without knotted pile. Because these antique rugs are found across the globe, each region has a different pronunciation and spelling. The Turkish word is used because of the explosive production of these types of these expensive rugs during the Ottoman Empire. Turkish rugs are of course still highly desired today due to their bright colors and hidden motifs. In this Kilim, for example, the two columns of diamonds contain the goz or “eye” motif. This embedded symbol is meant to protect the owner from the evil eye.