The Casbah Alleyway 1

For me from a nearby port it is only a 35 minute ferry ride and 5 minute walk from the harbour to the casbah in Tangier. Its boundary walls prohibit cars and its alleyways become narrow passages and towards the centre are so small that they permit only single file shoppers. The smell of bread from the ovens (which are no more than holes in the ground), spices and mint tea prevail. The sellers of every commodity reveal their ambitions for early financial retirement by asking ridiculous opening prices - unfortunately I cannot help them. It is here that I can buy wool and fresh goat cheese wrapped in date palm leaves from the Berbers who visit on Thursdays and Sundays. From a "shop", smaller than a telephone booth, I can choose from a vast selection of silks and weaving materials. It is a decrepit place - but I love it. A little money and a lot of imagination goes a long way in the casbah. The following pages show inexpensive pieces. Use your flair and create a style with old rugs, throws, cushions and artefacts to make your home luxurious. Go on........ give it a try.

Psssst ........

A sumptuous array of cushions we made for a customer.

A selection of Moroccan ceremonial shawls can transform a sofa or be mounted or framed for wonderful wall hangings. All €59 each.

VERY FINE ANTIQUE TEKKE BAG FACE from Turkmenistan. The detail in the borders is outstanding. Reference 1729. Size 54 x 100cms. €130.

OLD TAIMANI GRAIN BAG from north west Afghanistan. Use it on a bench or fill it with cushions for sumptuous luxury (and try and keep your cat off it). Reference 1676. Size 105 x 61cms. €120.

UNUSUAL OLD YASTIK - a small rug used as a cushion or pillow cover - woven by Kurds near Malatya in eastern Anatolia. Reference 877. Size 75 x 50cms. €90.

UNUSUAL SMALL BELOUCH RUG from north west Afghanistan, probably intended for use as a cushion cover and inscribed in Pashtun with the name of the owner, his village and profession. Reference 1698. Size 50 x 105cms. €195.

MATCHING PAIR OF SMALL CHINESE KELIMS with Caucasian design. Reference 988 and 989. Size 122 x 76cms each. €85 each.

OLD INDONESIAN BATIK from the town of Bandong, south east of Jakarta. Reference 242. Size approx. 1 metre square. €55.

A MATCHING PAIR OF RECENT CHINESE NEEDLEPOINT RUGS with delicate floral designs. Reference 1423 and 1424. Size 242 x 212cms each. €160 each.

FINE SEMI-ANTIQUE TEKKE TURKOMAN BAG FACE. An exquisite example of tribal weaving. Reference 1547. Size 26 x 81cms. €90.

OLD TAIMANI GRAIN BAG from north west Afghanistan, complete with goat hair fastenings. Reference 1677. Size 106 x 57cms. €120.

SMALL SQUARISH AFGHAN KELIM from the North West Frontier. Use it as a "throw" or on a coffee table. Reference 1381. Size 112 x 92cms. €60.

Close up of Reference 8004.

This was a tragedy. I discovered this magnificent antique Persian Gabeh in a home but unfortunately the top half had been on a damp stone floor for years and had rotted. I have saved two magnificent large fragments which will make wonderful small rugs or cushions or could be used on a bench or over a table. Reference 8004. Size 74 x 126cms. €150.

Exotic bed or sofa covers from India. Reference 8005/6/7. 250 x 220cms. each. €55 each.

This is the other fragment of the antique Persian Gabeh. The design of the camel and some of the field is actually piled in camel hair. Reference 8003. Size 53 x 126cms. €100.

Close up of centre of shawl.

Rare hand embroidered shawl, probably Norwegian. It is looking for an equally pretty Scandinavian owner. Reference 1673. Size 42 x 122cms. €75.

SEMI-ANTIQUE KARABAGH RUG from Azerbaijan. Reference 1695. Size 280 x 120cms. €240.

SEMI-ANTIQUE MOROCCAN CARPET from the high Atlas. Reference 8015. Size 295 x 200cms. €295.

A large selection of Indian throws which are wonderful for sofas, tables beds and even for use as a shawl. Reference 8008. Various sizes. €59 each.

SEMI-ANTIQUE MOROCCAN CARPET from the high Atlas. Reference 8015. Size 295 x 200cms. €295.