Kilims have a long history. Woven by the nomadic people kilims, are the historical records of the nomadic culture. They are traditional hand-woven rugs made of natural wool which are dyed with natural dyes. They reflect the harmony of the nature and the evolution of culture that is passed from generation to generation. Each kilim is unique piece of art of the weaver's imagination, creativeness and feelings.
 
However, the Anatolian nomadic culture and the authentic weaving traditions are gradually disappearing. Additionally, there is a market which claims "perfect," "amazing," "flawless" machine made professional reproductions. Please be aware of the fact weaving a kilim takes months and years. It depends on the size, materials used, knot count and design. The price of a kilim is evaluated by these qualities. Therefore, buying an authentic, hand-woven, natural dyed, wool kilim only for a small amount of money is impossible.

I will give a brief info about kilims and some tips that might be beneficial in your buyings. 

Classification

Kilims are named according to their techniques, motifs, region and the names of tribes or klans by whom they are woven.

a.        techniques: they are called marrowed kilim, marrowless kilim, curved woofed kilim, wrapped contour kilim.

b.       motifs: Kocboynuzlu, Farda, Gulbudak...

c.        region: Ushak, Shiraz, Mut, Bayat, Cine, Esme,Yagcibedir, Antalya...

d.       tribes or klans: Karakecili, Sarıkecili, Afsar...

An important point is that although soumak, zili and jijim are categorized as kilim, they are different types of weavings.

Materials

Rugs are made from five basic materials;

a.        Goat hair

b.       Floss silk

c.        Sheep wool

d.       Cotton

e.        Pure silk

Colors

The ancient practice of natural dying is still continuing in Anatolian villages. Natural dyes reflect the harmony of the nature so they are more pleasant to the eye. The natural wool is dyed with natural dyes obtained f rom plants, vegetables, barries and trees.

a.        Red: It is obtained from rubia, pine huska and madder.

b.       Green: It is obtained from oleander and develik.

c.        Blue: It is obtained from civit otu.

d.       Yellow: Bright yellow is obtained from ox-eye camomile; deep yellow is obtained from buckthorne and this plant is used for producing secondary colors; supurge, wild camomile and tree-leaved sage are also used in obtaining yellow.

e.        Brown: It is obtained from walnut tree. The walnut pods are also used in medicine and for dyeing hair. Additionally, pomegranate tree is used to maintain yellow to bronish yellow and brown to black.

Dark and light color shades are arranged with the length of time which the plant is boiled. The wool is boiled with the plant to absorb the color. Some secondary plants and salts are used as mordants for the absorption of the color by the wool and to obtain the arranged color.

Since the dyes are prepared with some mixtures of plants, colors change from region to region. Additionally, the same color may change in one kilim, there may be lighter and darker shades. This is not a deficit, it illustrates the natural dye.