Detailed Information on Traditional Moroccan Rugs

Modern Design and Moroccan Rugs

Since the turn of the 20th century, classic Moroccan rugs have captivated Western cultures. Designers throughout this time used strong geometric patterns and shapes, as well as strong color schemes, to create beautiful function-over-form interiors. Such organic, rustic rugs were used by well-known designers like Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, and Frank Wright to balance austere interior decor.

Moroccan rugs are increasingly in demand as green, international, and bohemian fashions become more mainstream. Vintage, expertly made items typically cost in the six figures. Owner of Double Knot and authority on ancient rugs Murat Kupcu, however, advises buyers to exercise caution. He claims that since Moroccan carpets are experiencing an unparalleled degree of popularity and there are now no supply issues, people need to distinguish between rugs created for export or the market and authentic Berber rugs that are intended for residential use.

It's ironic that Moroccan rugs, which were economically manufactured without any intention of selling them on the market, are the most expensive. The highest value is frequently paid for textile goods that were created as works of art by the weavers, whose primary goal was to replicate their forefathers and traditions, according to both rug specialists and consumers. The image of a vintage rug woven by Berber women to preserve their traditions in a piece of art can be found below.

Moroccan tribal weavings and rugs were often produced by women exclusively for personal use. Such thick rugs served a variety of functions, such as wintertime floor covering or blankets, sitting, and mattresses. Every lady who weaves a rug tells her narrative through her artistic creation. Depending on where they were manufactured, these rugs are likely to differ and have a lot of symbolism.

Moroccan rugs come in many different color schemes, ranging from monochromatic to artistically detailed motifs, and they combine vibrant, intense hues with soft, natural tones. These dynamic gestural shapes are reminiscent of one of the most influential contemporary paintings, and they reflect the laborious, time-consuming manufacturing process.

Here are several very well-known and highly regarded tribal rug weaving techniques that we will explore as we look at many factors that give Moroccan carpets their feeling of uniqueness: Kilim, Beni Ourain, Beni Mguild, and AzilalBoucheourite Tuareg mats.

Azilal Carpets

From the Sahara to the Atlas Mountains, Moroccan nomadic weavers frequently weave striking and alluring geometric patterns. However, the Azilal, which stretches from the northern side of the High Atlas to the southern foothills of the Middle Atlas, offers many highly sought-after, lavishly decorated rugs and carpets. Owner of Esmaili Rugs Ali Esmaili claims that because Berber weavers did not share a written language, they would convey ancestral myths in their fabrics using antiquated symbols and pictures.

But not all Moroccan rugs have beautiful patterns. Monochromatic hues are frequently found in the most beautiful designs. Such rugs make up for their lack of complexity with subtle variations and beautiful color schemes. Traditional colours, derived from local plants or minerals, are employed. Some of them, such as the deep red of cochineal and the purple of Tyra, are made from shells. Indigo is used by some, like as the Beni Mguild, to produce tones of deep purple and blue.

These colors have their own unique symbolism, even though they don't necessarily have complex symbolic images. According to Esmaili, traditional Berber culture uses the colors red to represent strength and protection, green to represent harmony, yellow to represent eternity, and blue to represent wisdom.

Boucherouite Carpets

Did you know that several economic and societal shifts were responsible for the emergence of these comical carpets? Yes, the term "boucherouite," which comes from the Arabic "busherwit," or "piece plucked from a discarded clothing material," was developed as people moved from herding nomadic livestock to more contemporary occupations. Thus, the amount of wool was lessened. This custom, which was first practiced by the Boujad and Beni Mellal tribes of the Moroccan Central Plains, extended to other isolated tribes in the High and Middle Atlas regions, particularly the Ourika tribe.

Since there isn't much distinction between these rugs, boucherouite carpets frequently resemble one another. The tribal differences in the carpets are so difficult to discern that they are sometimes mislabeled as Boujads in the market.

Beni Ouarain Carpets

Most contemporary interior designers like Beni Ourain rugs because of their simpler, more beautiful geometry and neutral tones. The Beni Ourain, a 2-dozen strong individual tribe network found in the Moroccan Middle Atlas region, serves as the model for countless modern spinoffs and goods. These rugs are made from natural, undyed wool with a predominately cream background. The ornamentation typically has multiple fine lines of henna-brown color. These fashionable fabrics typically have a distinctively dark tone since they are manufactured using black sheep's undyed wool.

Beni Ourain rugs and carpets don't particularly stick out, but they have small nuances that give them character, soul, and depth that you won't find in a mass-produced, machine-made carpet. Designers are drawn to these rugs because of the minute variances in line thickness, color flaws, and geometric design asymmetry.