Bedouin Tribal Kalim
10 June 2026
Description

Purchased in Taif, Saudi Arabia in 1971 from a local carpet dealer by current owner. Material is probably goat and or camel hair. The composition is arranged in symmetrical geometric bands, including serrated diamonds, stepped lozenges, and protective tribal motifs in multiple tones of red, rust, cream, charcoal, and ochre. The rug retains its original fringes and selvedges, with expected age‑related wear consistent with a mid‑20th‑century nomadic textile. The piece remains structurally sound, with minor areas of surface abrasion that do not detract from its visual impact or ethnographic value.

Dimensions

59 by 97 inches

Acquired from
Dealer or Gallery
For sale
Yes
Answered within about 15 hours
By David U.
Jun 11, 10:09 UTC
Fair Market Value
$300 - $700 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hello, this item is a handwoven Bedouin or Arabian tribal kilim, likely dating to the mid-20th century, with a strong geometric composition arranged around repeated lozenges, stepped diamond motifs, serrated borders, and contrasting bands in rust red, cream, charcoal, ochre, grey, and dark brown. The flatwoven structure, visible wool or mixed animal-hair fibers, tribal palette, and regional provenance from Taif, Saudi Arabia, place it within the broader Arabian and Bedouin textile tradition rather than the Persian workshop carpet market. Its size, 59 x 97 inches, makes it a practical domestic floor covering, and the design retains the visual vocabulary associated with nomadic and semi-nomadic weaving, where geometric motifs often served both decorative and protective functions.

The kilim appears structurally stable, with original fringes and selvages still present, though there is expected age-related wear, slight waviness, minor surface abrasion, and some irregularity at the edges. These features are consistent with use and age, and they do not significantly reduce its decorative or ethnographic appeal. Market demand for Bedouin and Arabian tribal flatweaves is more selective than for Persian, Caucasian, or Anatolian kilims, but documented acquisition in Saudi Arabia in 1971 strengthens its regional interest. Based on the photographs, dimensions, condition, age, and current market demand, the fair market value is $300 to $700 USD.

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