Vintage Turkish Handwoven Rug | Cecim Kilim with Evil Eye Motifs in Ivory Pearl / Submarine Blue / Burgundy

Age: 1950s

Condition: Excellent

Dimensions: 2' 10" W x 3' 6" L

Floor Heating Safe: Yes

Material: Wool on cotton

Origin: Turkey

Primary Color: Ivory

Product Care: Vacuum clean gently or professional cleaning

Shape: Rectangle

Style: Cecim style

A study in ancestral artistry and quiet elegance, this rare mid-century Turkish cecim kilim is a singular treasure—one of one, never to be replicated. Handwoven in the 1950s in Anatolia, it was crafted using the cecim (also known as jijim) technique, one of the most intricate and labor-intensive methods in Turkish textile history. Unlike standard flat-weaves, cecim weavings incorporate supplementary weft threads embroidered into the structure, allowing the artisan to draw delicate, detailed motifs as if sketching directly onto the warp. The result is not merely a rug but a tapestry of cultural memory, rich in meaning and tactile beauty.

The design is steeped in ancient symbolism. Its rhythmic pattern of diamonds—some divided into four, others stylized into triangles and rectangles—serves as protective emblems known throughout Anatolia as "evil eyes". In regional belief, the human eye is both the source and shield against the evil glance; weaving these motifs into textiles was considered a form of quiet resistance, warding off harm with beauty. Each eye on this kilim is unique, a regional interpretation of a centuries-old visual language that turns superstition into ornamentation.

The palette is equally compelling. Saturated tones of ultramarine blue form the structural lattice of the design, enclosing diamonds in hues of forest moss, oxidized burgundy, and crimson rouge. These rich shades sit upon a field of ivory pearl, lending the entire composition a sense of calm and timelessness. A border of obsidian black and garnet red finishes the piece with quiet strength, framing the central pattern like a piece of art.

Despite its modest proportions—measuring approximately 3x4—this kilim holds a commanding presence. Its size makes it ideal for smaller, intentional spaces where texture and meaning matter. Place it beside a reading chair in a cozy study, lay it in front of a console in a curated entryway, or soften the floor of a jewel box powder room. It can also be transformed into a striking wall hanging—an art piece that speaks to heritage, intention, and connoisseurship.

This kilim is perfectly suited for interiors that embrace eclectic storytelling, rustic charm, vintage layering, or a worldly sophistication. Its geometry and palette complement natural wood, aged metals, and organic linens. It's a piece that lives comfortably in homes curated with soul—a poetic fragment of Anatolia that brings history into the present moment. With only one in existence, it is a fleeting opportunity to own something truly rare—woven by hand, shaped by time, and meant for those who collect with both heart and eye.