Ordu tree of life kilim rug - large

A stylised tree takes root at the centre of this vintage rug, a colourful composition woven by hand in the Ordu region of Turkey. The rug is an almost square shape, unusual in the world of kilims, and is adorned with quirky motifs, including a lucky tufted amulet.

Replete with symbolism, the rug is woven with motifs and patterns that carry powerful meaning. The tree of life, or hayat ağaci, represents renewal and continuity. Female forms with their hands on their hips, or elibelinde, symbolise 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. Ordu kilims originate from the Pontic Black Sea coast of northeast Turkey; influenced by the damp, coastal climate, long winters and mountainous geography, Ordu’s weaving heritage stands distinctly apart from the sun-drenched kilim traditions of central and southern Anatolia.

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. As traditional kilim weaving is in decline and much of the generational knowledge is at risk of being lost, authentic rugs such as these are ever more highly prized.

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