Afyon evil eye kilim pouffe

A unique masterwork adorned with ancient patterns and protective emblems, this beautiful woollen pouffe has been handcrafted by skilled artisans using generations-old techniques in Turkey.

The layered geometric patterns of the pouffe reveal the motif of the evil eye, or nazarlik, a protective emblem that functions as a shield against the ancient curse of a malevolent glare, alongside the hook, or çengel, that guards against harmful influences.

Featuring unique variations in weave, geometric alignment, dye tones and regional design, each piece carries the heritage of the place where it was made, a fingerprint of the weaver. This pouffe was made in Afyonkarahisar in western-central Turkey, a historic centre known for the production of dense, flatwoven Afyon kilims crafted using centuries-old tribal traditions.

Kilim weaving was traditionally practised by women using techniques passed from mother to daughter, working without drawing boards or fixed templates, making each piece a unique expression of the maker’s artistry. This pouffe is made using the slitweave method, a warp-sharing technique that enables the creation of reversible kilims with complex designs. The looping and sharing of strands in the weaving process results in small slits appearing at the borders of the designs, giving the process its name.

Lightweight and easy to move around, the pouffe has a zipped liner allowing the filling to be topped up over time. The kilim weave covers all sides except for the base.

Selected by the V&A, each piece has been sourced and professionally cleaned by a specialist partner.