Veramin Kilim. Persian. Circa 1880. 230 X 138 Cm

This kilim is a world unto itself, a work of art, almost a painting. I should note that the piece’s textured surface makes it very difficult to photograph.

This kilim belongs to the broad family of Veramin nomadic kilims from the late 19th century.
For any lover of antique kilims and for any collector, the sight of an antique Veramin kilim is more than just a sensation—it is a revelation.
Its continuous central field, without a medallion, gives way to an infinite array of zigzag patterns intertwined with one another.
This unique composition directly evokes the way of life of the nomadic peoples of this region; it pays homage to life, to flowing water, and to perpetual motion punctuated by the seasons.
These motifs are visual vibrations in their own right.
The piece is literally hypnotic.
All presented in a perfect harmony of plant-based hues. It is stunning and subtle. This aesthetic is taken to the extreme through the use of thousands of abrash effects across the entire surface.
Abrash is a technical process that involves creating multiple variations in intensity around a single hue. This process is unique to plant-based dyes. Here, the indigo blues are fluid—sometimes diluted, sometimes saturated. The aubergine hue is extremely rare in kilims; here, it radiates across the entire surface. Dark browns. Ecru. Light pistachio green. Everything is beautiful.
In principle, this type of composition—attributed exclusively to the Veramins—is formed by the repetition of those famous zigzag patterns in a vertical pattern. Here, it is complemented by horizontal blocks. Incredible. The weaver found a way—a clever trick—to draw us in from any angle and perspective. A stroke of genius long before its time and even before the word “design” existed!
The weaving lives up to the work’s aesthetic dimension. Fine, even, precise. The piece is supple and light. A true work of art.
In a state of preservation bordering on a miracle, this piece—exceptional in every way—is moving, sensational, and timeless. It will remain modern for eternity in a continuous flow of perpetual undulations.
A collector’s item, ultra-graphic, and highly decorative.

Circa 1880
Dimensions: 230 x 138 cm

Laurent
Beauty of Kilims