OLD ORIENTAL CARPET

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MEDIUM RUGS Page1

HERE YOU WILL FIND rugs of the size 181 to 275cms., or 6ft. to 9ft. long. with various width sizes.

Please send any questions or enquiries to me at ldrowcroft@gmail.com

BUYING OLD RUGS in the Medina in Marrakech.

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.

BERBER DESIGNS ARE OFTEN based on the world around them, in this case a life-size portrayal of the water seller who is a vital part of every market day. He wears the broad hat to protect against the scorching sun. Around his neck is his long chain holding his bell and the metal cups he dispenses water in. From the right shoulder his personal old goatskin bag contains money and his daily provisions, while the left bag contains the water. This is a primitive, fascinating expression of Berber life. The foundation is wool and the pile a mixture of wools and shredded textiles. It is from the Middle Atlas. Reference 2678. Size 228 x 145 cm., 7ft. 6ins. x 4ft. 9ins. Euros 420. THIS RUG HAS BEEN SOLD.

I took this photo in Khemisset market. Berber designs are often based on the world around them, in this case a life-size portrayal of the water seller who is a vital part of every market day. He wears the broad hat to protect against the scorching sun. Around his neck is his long chain holding his bell and the metal cups he dispenses water in. From the right shoulder his personal old goatskin bag contains money and his daily provisions, while the left bag contains the water. This is a primitive, fascinating expression of Berber life. The foundation is wool and the pile a mixture of wools and shredded textiles. It is from the Middle Atlas.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS CARPET. This is from the Mrirt Berber group of the Middle Atlas range. The subtle shades range from purplish and brownish reds through to terracotta and deep madder. The use of different shades of one general colour is often found in old weavings from the Beni Mguild tribe and several examples can be seen in "Marokko" by Kurt Rainer from page 126. The piece is in excellent condition. Ref. 2120. Size 257 x 198 cms. 8'5" x 6'6". Euros 800.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS CARPET. This is from the Beni Mguild group of the Middle Atlas range. The subtle shades range from purplish and brownish reds through to terracotta and deep madder. The use of different shades of one general colour is often found in old weavings from the Beni Mguild tribe and several examples can be seen in "Marokko" by Kurt Rainer from page 126. The piece is in excellent condition. Ref. 2120. Size 257 x 198 cms. 8'5" x 6'6". CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. This old carpet is from the region of Ait Ouaouzguite in the High Atlas mountains south of Marrakech. The dyes include colours taken from henna, saffron and curcuma. It is in good original condition with full pile, complete ends and overcasting. There is a small reweave in the top kilim end border. A similar piece with these panel designs is shown in "From Sign to Image - The Moroccan Carpet" pages 169 to 171. Reference 2078. Size 270 x 160cms, 9ft x 5ft 3ins, Euros 1785.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. This old carpet is from the region of Ait Ouaouzguite in the High Atlas mountains south of Marrakech. The dyes include colours taken from henna, saffron and curcuma. It is in good original condition with full pile, complete ends and overcasting. There is a small reweave in the top kilim end border. A similar piece with these panel designs is shown in "From Sign to Image - The Moroccan Carpet" pages 169 to 171. Reference 2078. Size 270 x 160cms, 9ft x 5ft 3ins. CLOSE UP.

Only 13 miles separate my home in southern Spain from Morocco. It is only a 35 minute ferry to the northern city of Tangier. From there it is four wheel driving to the edge of the Sahara.

Traditional kilims, cushions and pillows provide a relaxing Moroccan interior. See the sections on Kilims/Flat Weaves and also Woven Bags and Artifacts for many similar examples.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER RUG A gifted weaver has created an almost 3 dimensional look by contrasting central medallions of deep charcoal with lustrous undyed white wool in the field. There is minor use of a very light apricot highlight. This rug is from the region of Azilal in the foothills of the High Atlas, east of Marrakech. Reference 2553. Size 227 x 142cms. 7ft.5in. x 4ft.8in. Euros 865.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER RUG A gifted weaver has created an almost 3 dimensional look by contrasting central medallions of deep charcoal with lustrous undyed white wool in the field. There is minor use of a very light apricot highlight. This rug is from the region of Azilal in the foothills of the High Atlas, east of Marrakech. Reference 2553. Size 227 x 142cms. 7ft.5in. x 4ft.8in. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS RUG which is from one of the villages in the region of Azilal in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains east of Marrakech. The undyed, hand spun, Berber wool used for the pile is soft and lustrous. Some typical primitive designs have been woven into the pile - the main one being a large eye which tradition says will deflect the evil spirits which abound. Other motifs are depictions of trees, beating combs, huts, tents and fields for crops. Reference 3171. Size 250 x 150 cms., or 8ft. 3ins. x 5ft. Euros 725.

CLOSE UP of the primitive designs.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS RUG from the Berbers of the Boujad region. It has a great depth of colours and lustrous wools. It is old with woollen warps and wefts and wide original overcasting. Reference 2285. Size 230 x 125cms. 7ft.7in. x 4ft.1in. Euros 480.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS RUG from the Berbers of the Boujad region. It has a great depth of colours and lustrous wools. It is old with woollen warps and wefts and wide original overcasting. Reference 2285. Size 230 x 125cms. 7ft.7in. x 4ft.1in. CLOSE UP:

MOROCCAN BERBER BOUCHEROUITE RUG. The origin of these completely unique rugs lies in the ability of inventive Berber women weavers and their belief in the saying "waste not, want not". They possessed the looms and the weaving skills and decided to use left over wool and cotton, together with shredded recycled materials and create these rugs for their own homes. Designs are entirely spontaneous and may change several times. In this case the weaver has used the same shades of colours as those used to paint her front door and wall of her house. Reference 2629. Size 197 x 137cms. 6ft.5in. x 4ft.6in. Euro 350.

The colours used in this door of a weaver's house are the same as the MOROCCAN BERBER BOUCHEROUITE RUG opposite. The origin of these completely unique rugs lies in the ability of inventive Berber women weavers and their belief in the saying "waste not, want not". They possessed the looms and the weaving skills and decided to use left over wool and cotton, together with shredded recycled materials and create these rugs for their own homes.

MOROCCAN BERBER RUG from the region of Tazenacht in the southern High Atlas mountains. The ochre colored landscape is burning in summer and freezing in winter. The Berber weaver has used local hand spun wool and soft shades including the tradiional henna. The centre design may be wishful thinking as it portrays a water filled fountain surrounded by a low wall with a ceramic tiled top of which urns containing flowers are displayed. A colorful, stylish addition to enhance most decor themes. Reference 3309. Size 200 x 76 cms., or 6ft. 7ins. x 5ft. 6ins. Euros 120.

CLOSE UP of the fountain sending water in to the low walled pool. The view is from directly overhead. The wools are soft and lustrous.

MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS RUG. The simplistic designs have been achieved by using only various shades of undyed local Berber wools. The pile is knotted with the unique Berber overlapped knot which is shown in the book "From Sign To Image" on page 33.This is an old piece from the region of Azilal which lies in the foothills of the eastern High Atlas. It is intact and original with interesting braided ends. Rugs from this region are well documented in the textbook "Tapis de Tribus" and an example using similar combinations, although for a different design, is featured in Plate 38. Reference 2714. Size 200 x 103cms. 6ft.4in. x 3ft.5in. Euros 390.

MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS RUG. The simplistic designs have been achieved by using only various shades of undyed local Berber wools. The pile is knotted with the unique Berber overlapped knot which is shown in the book "From Sign To Image" on page 33.This is an old piece from the region of Azilal which lies in the foothills of the eastern High Atlas. It is intact and original with interesting braided ends. Rugs from this region are well documented in the textbook "Tapis de Tribus" and an example using similar combinations, although for a different design, is featured in Plate 38. Reference 2714. Size 200 x 103cms. 6ft.4in. x 3ft.5in. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS RUG. An exceptionally rare example which is around 60 years old and in impeccable condition. Of all the Berber groups, it is only the Beni M'Guild who use the same wool, as in this case, for the warps, wefts and knotted pile. The weaver added a few warps of recycled material on each side, probably to help it lie flat. The cinnamon and honey colour is the result of the original dyes of wild madder, probably with a little alizarin pigment, mellowing over the decades. The pile is soft and sumptuous. Reference 2373. Size 190 x 90cms. 6ft.5in. x 3ft. Euros 185.

SPECIAL OFFER......MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS RUG. An exceptionally rare example which is around 60 years old and in impeccable condition. Of all the Berber groups, it is only the Beni M'Guild who use the same wool, as in this case, for the warps, wefts and knotted pile. The weaver added a few warps of recycled material on each side, probably to help it lie flat. The cinnamon and honey colour is the result of the original dyes of wild madder, probably with a little alizarin pigment, mellowing over the decades. The pile is soft and sumptuous. Reference 2373. Size 190 x 90cms. 6ft.5in. x 3ft. CLOSE UP.

BEHIND THE DOOR AT THE END of this un-named alley in old Marrakech is a big surprise.....

HUNDREDS OF RUGS, piled floor to ceiling. This is just one of many hidden rug stores in the old Medina.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS BERBER RUG. The use of squares and rectangles, as shown here, is peculiar to Berber work from the region of Boujad in the western Middle Atlas. There is a rug in "Marokko" by Kurt Rainer on plate 110 which has identical shades of the red, green and yellow as in this piece. It is attributed to the Beni Mussa Berber sub-tribe. It would make a dramatic wall hanging. Reference 2333. Size 188 x 125cms. 6ft.2in. x 4ft.1in. Euros 285.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS BERBER RUG. The use of squares and rectangles, as shown here, is peculiar to Berber work from the region of Boujad in the western Middle Atlas. There is a rug in "Marokko" by Kurt Rainer on plate 110 which has identical shades of the red, green and yellow as in this piece. It is attributed to the Beni Mussa Berber sub-tribe. It would make a dramatic wall hanging. Reference 2333. Size 188 x 125cms. 6ft.2in. x 4ft.1in. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN BERBER RUG from the region of Tazenacht which lies in the High Atlas and is a long, twisting, climbing road south from Marrakesh. The wools are undyed and the dark squares are shades of the deepest, rich chestnut brown. The rug is in perfect condition and has intricate decorative weaving on the kilim ends. A similar piece is shown in the important text book "Taznacht" as plate 2 on page 125. Refrerence 2710. Size 195 x 108 cms., or 6ft. 5ins. x 3ft. 7ins. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN BERBER RUG from the region of Tazenacht which lies in the High Atlas and is a long, twisting, climbing road south from Marrakesh. The wools are undyed and the dark squares are shades of the deepest, rich chestnut brown. The rug is in perfect condition and has intricate decorative weaving on the kilim ends. A similar piece is shown in the important text book "Taznacht" as plate 2 on page 125. Refrerence 2710. Size 195 x 108 cms., or 6ft. 5ins. x 3ft. 7ins. Euros 685.

CLOSE UP of the traditional curved acanthus leaves which form part of the central design of most Lilihan rugs. The ones portrayed here are relaxed and graceful.

PERSIAN LONG RUG which has the main central design used by the weavers in the small town of Lilihan in the western provice of Hamadan. The design in this rug is more simplistic and it is probably from a nearby village where the weaver used the Lilihan design as inspiration. The rug is in excellent condition and the original dense pile, end finishes and overcasting make it both durable and long lasting. Many different floral forms are to be found throughout the rug. The four borders represent a vine covered surrouning wall. Reference 2981. Size 215 x 100 cms., or 7ft. x 3ft. 3ins. Euros 125.

ROAD SIGN ALL OVER MOROCCO. Often seen but seldom obeyed.

ALMOND TREE IN BLOSSOM in the late winter on the foothills of the High Atlas near Azilal.