Acipayam star kilim rug - medium

A joyful addition to any space, this hand-made vintage rug would brighten a bedroom or living room with its summery colour palette and striped design; alternatively, hang it from the wall to admire its one-of-a-kind artistry every day.

Woven by hand using the traditional flat-weave kilim technique, the rug is replete with symbolism, woven with motifs and patterns that carry powerful meaning. Repeating medallions in the shape of a star, or yildiz, represent happiness, good fortune and guidance. Small eye motifs represent the evil eye, or nazarlik, a protective emblem that functions as a shield against the ancient curse of a malevolent glare.

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. This rug is typical of those made in Acipayam, featuring colourful parallel stripes woven with small emblem patterns or central medallions. Nestled in the high country of southwestern Turkey, Acipayam is historically famous for producing authentic, highly durable handwoven kilims and runners made by the nomadic Turkmen Yörük tribes.

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 was made using the cicim method, a supplementary flat-weave technique where decorative pattern threads are added onto a plain-weave ground fabric to create a colourful raised design that sits proud of the surface.

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