A research in the design, role and method of weaving the Chehel-Māshūleh kilim of the nationally-registered of the Bidkordoye village, Baft city, Kerman province.**

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student in Art Research, University of Tehran

2 Professor and head of department, Faculty of fine art campus, Tehran University

3 Professor, Department of visual arts, Faculty of fine art campus Tehran University

10.22059/jfava.2023.357405.667085

Abstract

Kilim-weaving has a long history and is widely woven in nomadic and rural life and some urban communities of Kerman province. Having diverse kilim-weaving technique, one of the most famous kilim of this province is “Chehel-Māshūleh” of Bidkordūiyeh village, which was registered nationally in 2017 and is considered one of the valuable handwovens of Iran, along with Shīrakīpīch carpets, float-weave and carpet-kilim. The special and unique weaves, diverse motifs and designs are subjective, abstract, among the most important characteristics of this kilim. The main objective of article is to identify the technical features of the weaving method, the reasons for the naming and the factors affecting the formation and variety of the use of hand-weaves, motifs and designs of “Chehel-Māshūleh” of Bidkordūiyeh village. The information in this article was collected using field and library surveys with descriptive-analytical method. This research seeks to answer the question “what are the significance and unique characteristics of the technique and associated motifs? That have been still and registered nationally. The results of this research show that the innovation and skill of the Afshār tribe weavers have led to the formation of a rare weaving technique, in the form of “left-weave”, which has contributed the preservation and sustainable use in their personal and their daily life to provide design and decoration of the their every-day objects in their life, work and even rest.

According to archaeological discoveries, the history of weaving in Kerman Province dates back to more than 5000 BC. Motifs are the most important element in decorating these types of kilims, which have a great deal of originality and concepts and always affect every viewer. The results imply that most of these motifs are the result of the mentality of nomadic and rural women and girls of the same region, especially the weavers of the major and famous Afshar tribe, adopted from their life and environment, and ethnic traditions. In other words, these motifs are the abstracts of various elements and thoughts of the weavers, which are formed according to Iranian mysticism and Islamic civilization and are influenced by the world of Iranian ideals. They have woven these motifs with great skill and abstractly and geometrically on the carpet, but over time, they have undergone gradual and evolutionary changes and have evolved from simple to complex over the years. This process, over time, has created a lot of diversity in motifs, designs, and their use in handwoven. The mental weaving and repetition of motifs have caused the diversity and multiplicity of motifs colors and names in the Chehel-Māshūleh kilim. In other words, it can be said that any work or artistic field, which has appropriate, logical, orderly, balanced principles and structure and is rooted in the tradition, is picturesque; Therefore, most of the nomadic and rural handwoven with the Chehel-Māshūleh kilim style has the same characteristics while preserving the native identity and ethnic and regional authenticity; As a result, it should be said that the nomadic art of this region is a pure, amazing, beautiful and useful/practical art.

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