South American

  • The New York Times. April 26, 2017
  • VINTAGE KILIM COMPOSITION

    Dark gray panels with abrash.

    The field is organized as an all-over honeycomb lattice, taupe hexagonal frames enclosing individual panels of varying tonal intensity. Each hexagon reads as its own compartment, with the linear network of connecting bands left plain and slightly lighter than the panels it encloses, giving the composition a cellular, tessellated rhythm from edge to edge. No border separates the pattern from the outer edge; the hexagons run flush to the selvages on all four sides.

    VINTAGE KILIM COMPOSITION

    The field is composed entirely of triangular segments pieced into a repeating pinwheel grid, alternating solid grey-brown and warm taupe triangles with ivory ground triangles. A number of the triangular units are cut from narrow, multicolored striped strips - rust, ochre, indigo, and cream lines running parallel within each shape - breaking the otherwise plain color blocks. Visible stitched seams outline every triangle, and there is no separate border; the pattern runs edge to edge to a plain outer binding.

    VINTAGE KILIM COMPOSITION

    The field is organized into vertical panels of flatly woven horizontal bands, alternating warm tan and pale cream, giving an irregular checkerboard rhythm across the surface. One panel left of center breaks the pattern with a dense cluster of narrow dark brown and charcoal stripes, and thin threads of pink appear as isolated accents within two of the bands. There is no border framing the composition; the striped panels run to the edges on all sides.

    VINTAGE KILIM COMPOSITION

    The field is composed of irregular rectangular panels in ivory, taupe, and camel tones, arranged in an asymmetrical patchwork of blocks and bands. A running fret or key-pattern border in black and ivory runs along the right edge only, while the remaining borders are plain striped bands in brown and beige, with small black accent blocks interrupting the inner framing lines. The overall composition reads as a study in rectilinear color fields rather than a symmetrical repeating pattern.

    Subscribe to