Antique Bessarabian Kilim
N°
00968
Period
Circa 1920
Origin
Southwest Ukraine
Materials
Wool
Status
Available
Size
240 x 160 cm 7'10" x 5'3"
The kilims known to us as ‘Bessarabian’ were woven in the Russian regions of Ukraine and Moldavia. Intended to satisfy the demands of the local nobility who had developed a taste for carpets with a Western flavour, these flatweaves often feature a subdued palette, suited to the elegant neoclassical interiors they adorned.
In this example the very unusual light blue-grey background is densely embellished by an array of shrubs arranged along the horizontal axis. Kilims such as this one represent today one of the most refined and sought after types within the decorative carpet market at an international level.