Van navy evil eye kilim rug - large

A timeless design woven by hand using traditional techniques passed down over generations, this elegant one-of-a-kind rug would make an elegant addition to any room. Deep navy blue contrasts with lighter neutral tones to create a refined piece with endless appeal.

Replete with symbolism, the rug is woven with motifs and patterns that carry powerful meaning. The prayer rug, or mihrab, layout features a central medallion surrounded by numerous fascinating smaller symbols. The evil eye, or nazarlik, is a protective motif that functions as a shield against the ancient curse of a malevolent glare. Female forms with their hands on their hips, or elibelinde, represent femininity, motherhood, fertility and abundance.

Kilim rugs carry the fingerprint of their maker, with each element from weave to geometric alignment, dye tones to decorative design, bearing the hallmarks of the region where the rug was made and the textile traditions of that area. Bordered by Iran and Iraq, the area surrounding Lake Van historically served as a geographic and cultural crossroads where Kurdish, Armenian, Caucasian, and Persian traditions heavily influenced the local textile arts. Kilims made in Van typically feature complex and ornate designs set against darker colours.

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 rug 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.

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