Collection: Afghan Kilims

An Afghan kilim is not knotted, it is woven flat: it is the colored wool threads of the weft that form the design, without pile. The piece is thin and light, and the color palette is very colorful: on our pieces, red, orange, and blue appear most often.

Where do Afghan kilims come from?

Several peoples weave in Afghanistan, particularly in the north of the country: Uzbeks, Baluchis, Turkmens, and Qizilbash, some of whom settled there following the Russian annexations. Their pieces are often grouped under the generic name of "Afghan," although each group weaves according to its own culture and its own repertoire.

How do you recognize an Afghan kilim?

First by touch: the kilim is woven by hand on a horizontal loom, without knots or thickness, and both sides are usable. The material is sheep's wool. The design is geometric and most often features the gol, an octagonal motif repeated in regular lines (the word comes from the Persian gol, flower). The palette is bold: reds, oranges, blues, and greens dominate, accompanied by beige, black, or white depending on the piece.

In which room and what size?

Our Afghan kilims come in almost every size, with many pieces around 240 × 170 cm and 150 × 100 cm. A 240 × 170 fits a large living room, in front of a 220 to 240 cm sofa; a 200 × 150 sits five centimeters in front of the sofa, with the floor remaining visible all around. Sizes around 120 × 80 and 150 × 100 cm go at the foot of the bed, in an entryway, or under a desk, and the smallest, around 90 × 60 cm, at the foot of the bed or in front of a fireplace.

Frequently asked questions

Is an Afghan kilim reversible?

Yes. Woven flat, it has neither pile nor knots on the back, and both sides can be used.

How do you care for a kilim?

Its lightness makes everything easier: it can be rolled up, carried, and shaken out easily. Regular vacuuming is enough for everyday care.

What is the difference between a kilim and a knotted rug?

A knotted rug has a pile formed by knots cut one by one; a kilim is woven flat, thinner and lighter. These are two different techniques, each with its own use.

All our Afghan kilims are unique pieces, sold with their certificate of origin. See also our entire collection of Afghan rugs and our Moldavian kilims, another flat-weaving tradition.