Kilims

A kilim is a flat weave made by interweaving the warp (the lengthwise yarn) and the weft (the horizontal yarn); a carpet has pile.  The kilims are 100% wool and come from Afghanistan.   

Herat is a state in northwestern Afghanistan near the border with Iran.  The people from this region are well-known for their kilims and carpet making skills.  They have been producing woven items for hundreds of years.   In the last 15 or so years they started making Nazk bhaf kilims.  Nazk in Afghani Persian, Pashto and Urdu means very fine and bhaf means work, in this case referring to the stitches; hence Nazk bhaf means fine work as can be seen in the detail photo of K1206_013.

Maimana kilims are placed on the floor for guests when food is served. Maiman means guest and Maimana means to be honorful to the guest which is an important aspect of Pashtun culture.

 

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 202 x 176 cm; K 0507_002

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 193 x 147 cm; K 0507_003. Sold

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 196 x 137 cm; K 0507_004

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 177 x 141 cm; K 0507_005

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 204 x 133 cm; K 0507_008

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 204 x 133 cm; K 0507_008 Detail

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 186 x 152 cm; K 0507_007

Old Maimana runner (40-45 years old), 281 x 74 cm; Kr 0507_001

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 197 x 137 cm; K 0507_009

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 211 x 147 cm; K 0507_010

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 204 x 133 cm; K 0507_0010

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 145 x 103cm; K1206_026

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 185 x 149cm; K1206_027

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 147 x 104cm; K1206_028

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 185 x 149cm; K1206_029

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 178 x 149cm; K1206_030

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 142 x 108cm; K1206_031

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 185 x 149cm; K1206_032

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 188 x 152cm; K1206_033

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 147 x 97cm; K1206_034

Herati, 200 x 300 cm; K1206_001

Herati, 189 x 270 cm; K1206_002

Herati, 189 x 270 cm; K1206_003

Herati, 175 x 280 cm; K1206_004

Herati, 100 x 50cm; K1206_005

Herati, 100 x 50cm; K1206_006. Sold

Malakei from Herat, 100 x 50cm; K1206_007

Nazak bhaf from Herat, 80 x 25cm; K1206_008

detail from Nazak bhaf; K1206_008

Runner from Maimana, Herat, 250 x 55cm; Kr1206_009

Runner from Maimana, Herat, 250 x 60cm; Kr1206_010

Barjasta, Kilim & carpet mix, from Herat, 200 x 80cm, K1206_011

Kalainou, Runner Herati, 200 x 85 cm; Kr 1206_012

Nazak Bhaf From Herat, 185 x 149cm; K 1206_013

Detail of K1206_013; note the tight stitches

Nazak Bhaf From Herat, 140 x 87cm; K 1206_015

Nazak Bhaf From Herat, 140 x 87cm; K 1206_016

Nazak Bhaf From Herat, 155 x 89cm; K 1206_017

Nazak Bhaf From Herat, 180 x 140cm; K 1206_018

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 187 x 152cm; K 1206_019

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 142 x 88cm; K 1206_020

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 185cm x 149cm; K 1206_021

Malaki from Herat, 193 x 104cm; K 1206_022. Sold

Malaki from Herat,187 x 105cm; K1206_023

Malaki from Herat, 195 x 107cm; K1206_024

Maimana runner from Herat, 50 to 60 years old, 318 x 120cm; Kr 1206_025

Nazak Bhaf from Herat, 145cm x 98cm, K1206_035