From an authentic Kilim rug to a fortuitous Opal ring, these treasured objects are heirlooms valued for the stories they tell, the cultural traditions they uphold, and the inter-generational bonds they form.

I stared at the sight before me, perplexed. My eyes water in an effort to make me blink, but I can’t. Its vibrant hues of purple and red enraptured me in a state of ambivalence. For one last time, I indulge in its grandeur. It was an Iraqi Kilim rug, a traditional flat-woven tapestry handcrafted by authentic artisans. And though It was beautiful, it was time to store the rug beneath the recent artificial and manufactured carpets, where it would remain until the next guest arrived.

It was a rule in my grandmother’s home that the Kilim rug was not for daily use, but rather for seating guests to dinner at special events. The exclusivity of the rug’s appearance in the house emphasized its specialty even more to me. The woven rug illuminated the room with its imperfect beauty. Despite its rough edges and numerous scratches, the handcrafted rug exuded warmth and character that no manufactured carpet could equal. I traced my fingers over the intricate patterns and motifs, feeling the depressions and lines of the tight yarn interwoven with meticulous craftsmanship. With each flow of the weave, I was reminded of the labor and history that went into each thread. Its imperfections spoke of the local tribal women who handcrafted it in the 1900s and the fading natural tint was an ode to the personality sewn within its wool yarn. The patterns felt almost symphonic, composing a story of an era long before me. Though woven, the centered star beamed, signifying everlasting happiness and good prosperity. The geometric eyes circled each corner of the star, staring directly at whatever evil may befall this house. Lastly, the pixelated triangular patterns that adorned the rug’s border mimicked the waves of the Euphrates, symbolizing the vitality of running water in life. 

 As much as I wanted to keep it out so I could admire its beauty every day, I knew that it must be preserved. With a sigh, I rolled up the beautiful rug. Though it wasn’t seen daily, its significance lived on, reminding me of the history of my own family and its tribal women who told a poem through their handcraft whose strong threads were able to pass down generations. 

….

For as long as I could remember, my aunt wore her opal ring on special occasions. It was a simple ring with a rectangular-shaped stone in a plain gold setting. It had been a gift from her parents, who intended to present her birthstone in the style of a ring. However, the birthstone was chosen mistakenly based on her astrological sign rather than her birth month. She was born in September-it should have been a sapphire.

We often joked that wearing an opal that wasn’t your birthstone brings bad luck. She had some of that- estranged from her father, divorced with two young children, and diagnosed with lung cancer and emphysema later in life. Despite all that, she was, to me, the coolest aunt. 

She would wear the ring when we went to the ballet, on holidays, and to weddings. Eventually, she began saying, “Since you are the October baby, this will be yours someday.” I treasured those words, not because the ring had great monetary value, but because it was hers.

We had begun spending Christmas at her daughter’s home, and in 2019, those words became a reality. As we were hugging goodbye, she handed me a ring box. “It’s yours now. I wanted you to have it while I was still here.” As I opened the box, the opal ring revealed itself, away from the hands of its owner. At that moment, I immediately felt the connection to the ring. Perhaps it was the fact that this was my correct birthstone, or maybe it was the unwavering promise that moved me. But, either way, I knew I had the responsibility to cherish her ring. After all, it was my embodiment of her, despite it not being her true birthstone. She passed away this past July. But, every time I wear that opal, I’m brought back to the wonderful memories she created, not only with me but also with my husband and children. She will always be the coolest aunt.

Process

As a pair piece, Huda and Karen wanted to express themselves through a shared commonality. One of which was heirlooms. Karen described a precious Opal ring that had been passed down to her from her aunt, while Huda reminisced about the beauty of an authentic Kilim rug that embodies the traditions before her. Despite their differences, these two written pieces come together to showcase the bridge that heirlooms build, connecting one to their generational history and story.