Notes
Cicim technique is the most difficult Kilim to weave. Weavers seldom wove more than one major Cicim such as in her lifetime.
Newer ones of this design type have more steps and more detail.
Centered in each mihrab's 3 sections are interlocked, rainboq colored rhomboids radiating from a single tulip or camel foot motif, creating an illusion of candles in the dark.
Mihrab bands are worked in white zig-zags inside thin white borders against the dark gbrown ground.
In Turkmen tradition, at the top and bottom beyond the main border, elems containing alternating elibelinde figures in alternating colors are finished with a red line surrounded by slanting red-tipped yellow parmakli rows directed into and out from the cicim. This device was believed by the weavers to preserve the magical powers of the rug and ward off evil outside forces.
Tiny tufts of brushed wool and fabric tied in horizontal rows represent wishes tied in by the young weaver, family and friends as a part of thew dowry. The remains of the three carefully spaced rows of wishes in the top half of the cicim is were touched by the supplicants during prayer as a part of their meditation.
Antique and Antique Collecting
Antiques have always lured those with a passion for the past and its cultural significance. Antique collecting though is a serious hobby which requires the hobbyist to posses a great deal of information on the history and other correlating facts if they are to land a reasonable purchase. Most often if not antiques make their way into the mainstream market via simple garage sales, auction houses etc. wherein the owner would have overlooked the significance of these precious collectables.
A reflection and testimony of the glorious past, Antiques are undoubtedly rare. Perhaps that is why Antiques have been collected and preserved for over thousands of years as a souvenir and tribute to what has been and gone. After all, those heard are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter!
Antique collecting has been in the books since the 16th century, gaining momentum through the 18th century to grow into what is now a healthy international business thats on par with the art industry. Some individuals prefer to collect antiques from a specific era, while most are into specific objects and aim at a timeline based collection such as vintage cars or clocks from the 1950s for example. The purchase of antiques is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the effort that goes into their maintenance. Most objects would be anywhere in the range of 50 to 100 years old. The biggest culprit to an antiques degradation is exposure to natural elements, even the air in most cases!
Over the years, antique collecting has taken another curious twist as certain home décor trends these days reflect on a retro feel. For this reason a lot of long lost furniture and clothing styles from half a century ago have found their way back into the current world with small changes that help them amalgamate into the 21st century. This trend of commercially viable antiques has had a negative impact on the market as replicas of famous antiques have been making the rounds and authenticity issues are far too common. Examples for the same would be pendulum clocks, bone china and the 1970 – 1979 contemporary modern furniture.
When it comes to venturing towards a purchase, its best for an individual to take assistance from the nearest antique dealer organization as it would guarantee both its authenticity as well as cover any legalities. Most often the replica market supplies the same antiques at a much lower price and the buyer could suffer serious repercussions on purchasing from such sources as these pieces are not officially accounted for. Antique collecting needs to be met with diligence and maturity in order to successfully sustain the past in the present.
