Antique Anatolian Konya region Hotamis dowry kilim with a complex border design also found in Aydin Cine kilims. The kilim shows interesting variations in style, drawing and intention in the weaving of the two halves by two different weavers. My own view is (and my background is in comparative mythology rather than weaving) is that the bride's family have added the additional protective and wish-fulfilling symbols in the lower right of the border to help ensure her welfare in her new life. Clearly more research is needed into marriage/dowry kilims of this type, indeed i believe they deserve a book of their own. If you know of any published work or research out there dealing with the subject of the motifs and symbols in such dowry kilims, please let me know.

The kilim has just caught up with me in Ireland yesterday after i found it in central Anatolia over Easter and i haven't finished taking photos and researching it yet. It is in excellent condition with just some corrosion to the dark brown s hook çiçim motifs and some water marks in the white border. The link at the top of the following page has some more photos: http://www.kilim.ie/TRIBAL_RUGS_and_KILIMS/Pages/ANTIQUE_KILIMS.html

If you would like more information, please contact me.