Cicim (or jajim in Persian) and zili are special embroidery techniques where wool is embroidered on top of a flatweave foundation or kilim. Zili is distinctive through the motifs or patterns being drawn by embroidering in series of parallel lines. Soumak is a different technique in which the woven or embroidered wool is incorporated into the fabric of the kilim. Reciprocal brocading is often also described as soumak and frequently found in chuvals. In this technique the motifs in the kilim are drawn by embroidering over a flatweave foundation by going back and forth within areas of the pattern with individual colours.

To see only antique and collectible kilims, please click here: ANTIQUE KILIMS or see the link on the main Tribal Rugs and Kilims home page.

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Click on any album below to see detailed photos of the kilim on the cover

The kilims below are displayed in order of size with the smaller weavings shown first. CLICK HERE to return to main Tribal Rugs and Kilims page