MOROCCO! Contact: rowcroft@metrored-online.com

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.

A major textbook on Moroccan artifacts is "Splenders du Maroc" published by the Musee Royal de L'Afrique Central, Tervuren, 1998. In addition I use many others.

Only 13 miles separate southern Spain (where I live) from Morocco

Driving through the dusty plains of Marrakech, hundreds of kilometres of monotone browns

Buying old rugs in the Medina.

An old fort near the town of Sidi Mokhtar is used as a collection point and co-operative for rugs woven in homes in the surrounding villages. Sometimes - with luck - a few old pieces are still available.

TUAREG KOHL CONTAINER - occasionally Tuareg women use a metal container adorned with leather in traditional designs to contain kohl for their eye make up. The tube separates to reveal the powder and the pointed end is used to assist in the application. This is Tuareg work from south of the Anti Atlas. Reference 1891. Size 15cms. Euros 55.

TUAREG LEATHER POUCHES - small leather pouches such as these are used to store kohl and powders used in make up. The leather is embellished with traditional designs and the pouches are hung from the waist. Top - Reference 1889. Size 43 cms. long with tassels. Euros 45. Bottom - Reference 1890. Size 34cms. long with tassels. Euros 45.

MOROCCAN BERBER RUG old rugs such as this were woven in the region of Azilal which lies at the western end of the High Atlas range. It is typical old Berber work woven without dyes and has a primitive interpretation of a stream or river on the left of the field. Similar pieces can be seen in "Maroc Tapis de Tribus", pages 98-101. Reference 1916. Size 156 x 103 cms. Euros 620.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS CUSHION/PILLOW COVER this rug has been opened to facilitate washing. Normally it would be folded over and stiched to act as a cushion or night time pillow. This significant abrash and change of colour probably means that the bottom section was woven and the rest only completed some time later when different dyes were available. It is complete with original tassels and comes from one of the tribes at the eastern end of the Middle Atlas range. See "Maroc Tapis de Tribus" page 26 for more information. Reference 1925. Size 130 x 50cms. Euros 300.

MOROCCAN TENT BAG this primitive old piece is from one of the tribes, probably Ait Bou Ichaouen, who inhabit the remote area between the eastern Middle Atlas and the Moroccan/Algerian border. It is a sensitive area and only recently have travel restrictions been relaxed. The principal town is Talsint and occasionally such pieces appear in the bazaar. "Maroc Tapis de Tribus" pages 26+ have more information. Reference 1927. Size 56 x 50cms. Euros 250.

MORROCAN MIDDLE ATLAS CARPET a carpet of unusual shape from the Zemmour group of Berbers in the western part of the Middle Atlas. This region produces more kilims than piled pieces. The absence of borders is typical of Zemmour work and the shape indicates that it could have been woven for a Riyad, which is a long narrow house, possibly in the nearest coastal city, Rabat. See "Maroc Tapis de Tribus", pages 52+ and "From Sign to Image - the Moroccan carpet", pages 61-61 for a similar example. Reference 1912. Size 335 x 107cms. Euros 1,250.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS RUG this lustrous old piece is Berber work from the Beni Ouarain group in the eastern section of the Middle Atlas, east of the city of Fez. See "Maroc Tapis de Tribus", pages 26+. Reference 1913. Size 250 x 103cms. Euros 750.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS RUG a simplistic Berber piece from the Beni Ouarain group who live in the eastern part of the Middle Atlas range. The nearest city is Fez and, with luck, it is still possible to find some old pieces such as this. "See Maroc Tapis de Tribus" pages 26+. Reference 1911. Size 220 x 121cms. Euros 750.

TUAREG LEATHER STORAGE BAG an early 20th century example of the largest of the Tuareg leather bags which is used for the storage of provisions. It is made of soft leather which is first dyed and then painted and then embroidery is applied. It is from the region of Goulimime which is a town beyond the Anti Atlas on the edge of the western Sahara. The annual camel fair in June is one of Morocco's most important and many artifacts, such as this, are bought and sold. It is complete with the original ropes and hand carved wooden handles. A similar example can be seen in "Arts and Crafts of Morocco", page 110. Reference 1953. Size 158 x 65cms. Euros 225.

MOROCCAN CARPET BEATING COMBS two types of these primitive hand crafted wood and metal beating combs are used throughout Morocco in all the villages and tribal areas. Combs with long teeth tend to be used for the coarser rugs while those with a flat metal plate, from which smaller, finer teeth protrude, are used for finer rugs and kilims. For the rug enthusiast they make wonderful evocative paper weights. All are very old or antique. "Splenders du Maroc", page 89 has similar examples and extensive information. References 1935 - 1944, Euros 55.

MOROCCAN BERBER BELT this originates from the region of Mrirt in the south of the Middle Atlas.and is a woven belt for a Berber man. It would be used mostly for ceremony. Information on ropes can be seen in "Splenders du Maroc", pages 180 and 209. Reference 1932. Size 90cms long. Euros 160.

MOROCCAN PLAITED BELT a beautiful example of Berber work from the High Atlas. It has extensive tassels at both ends woven of the same material but supplemented by bright tassels and many sequins. Reference 1949. Size 250cms. long. Euros 55.

MOROCCAN WOVEN BELT this intricately plaited belt is for a Berber man and would be worn on important occasions. It originates from the region of Boujad which is an area south of the Middle Atlas. Reference 1948. 350 cms. long. Euros 55.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS ARTIFACT this originates from the area of Tazenacht in the High Atlas south of Marrakech and is a woven bag used for the storage of a long barrelled rifle. Ammunition is stored in the top section as well. Reference 1933. Euros 350.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS CUSHION/PILLOW this is a double sided kilim pillow/cushion in which the design has been created by sections of knotted pile and also embroidery. The opening is on the long axis. It is Berber work from the region of Talsint, which lies east of the Atlas. The front cover of "Maroc Tapis de Tribus" has an almost identical example and more information can be seen on pages 22 and 23. Reference 1928. Size 40 x 90cms. Euros 280.

MOROCCAN BERBER BELT this originates from the region of Mrirt in the south of the Middle Atlas.and is a woven belt for a Berber woman. It would be tied round the waist many times and used mostly for ceremony. The tassel work at both ends is intricate and attractive. Similar pieces can be can be seen in "Splenders du Maroc", pages 180 and 209. Reference 1931. Size 170cms long. Euros 250.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS CUSHION/PILLOW COVER although woven in one long piled section this rug would be normally folded in the centre and then filled to be used as a pillow or cushion in a Berber tent. It is probably the work of the Beni Jelidassen group in the eastern Middle Atlas range. Most unusually, it has the original rope protruding from the centre and this would facilitate carrying. Reference 1929. Size 120 x 41cms. Euros 290.

OLD MOROCCAN MIRROR pieces like this are made by artisans in the region of Fez. It has a fine metal frame inlaid with camel bone. Reference 1879.. Size 53 x 51 cms. Euros 85.

MOROCCAN TENT BAG a primitive double sided piece originating from the eastern Middle Atlas towards the region of Talsint on route to the Algerian border. It is complete with original tassels and the hanging rope is a mixture of wool and recycled strips of material. Reference 1930. Size 57 x 40cms. Euros 180.

MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS RUG this rug is extraordinary because of its range of colours. Most Berber work is either undyed or has a limited, more sombre palette. The wools are very lustrous. It may be that this was used as a blanket. It originates from the Azilal region east of Marrakech. See "Maroc Tapis de Tribus", page 86+. Reference 1921. Size 224 x 83cms. Euros 850.

MOROCCAN RUG FROM DJEBEL SIROUA a lustrous old piece from the Ait Ouaouzguite group in the area of the Djebel Siroua, which lies between the High and Anti Atlas ranges. See "Maroc Tapis de Tribus", page 110+. Reference 1922. Size 230 x 144cms. Euros 875.

TUAREG LEATHER POUCH - this extraordinary and very old little pouch has five internal pockets which can be accessed by pulling the arrow shaped pull.The front surface is beautifully decorated and there are remnants of wool in the typical colours of the rugs of the Anti Atlas. Reference 1892. Size 35 cms long when closed. Euros 65.