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Moroccan mysteries, treasures and artifacts
This category is not about specific sizes but is devoted to all types of weaving and related artifacts from Morocco.
Geographically, of all the European rug dealers I am the closest to north Africa and Morocco - in fact, it is so close I can see the Rif mountains during the day and the coastal lights at night. The nearest city to me, Tangier, is only a 35 minute ferry ride and then a 5 minute walk brings me to the Casbah. Its outer walls prohibit cars and towards the centre its ever narrowing alley ways permit only single file shoppers. Smells - mint tea, spices and baking bread - prevail. On Thursdays and Sundays I can buy wool and fresh cheese wrapped in palm leaves from the Berbers. From a "shop" (smaller than a telephone booth) wonderful silks. Further south the foothills of the High Atlas and Marrakech are only an 80 minute flight and beyond that an uncomfortable 6 hours in a 4 wheel drive lies the entrance to the Sahara and the Tuareg people, from whom I buy their artifacts. Apart from the formal floral carpets of Rabat, Moroccan weaving is often primitive, bold and spontaneous. Local wools, together with camel and goat hair and even on rare occasions strips of re-cycled clothing, are used for the foundation warps, wefts and pile.