Bessarabian Rug 2121

Bessarabian Kilim, Romania, Late 19th Century - Antique Bessarabian kilims of Romania and Bulgaria tend to relate to the more naturalistic designs of Western European rugs and tapestries. While this striking example has the customary floral sprays and vines, they are treated much more abstractly than usual, relating more to the geometric style of kilims from nearby Turkey. The colors of this example are especially beautiful, with their pastel reds, yellows, and blues set dramatically against the black ground.