Moroccan Rugs

Your magic carpet ride comes to life in Morocco. For thousands of years, Moroccan women have woven rugs, blankets, and fabric wall-coverings. Made for domestic purposes, they also are an important part of the bride’s trousseau. In recent decades, traditional Moroccan carpets and throws have been inspiring designers, seducing shoppers, and captivating collectors from Henri Matisse to Frank Lloyd Wright to Charles Eames, who incorporated Moroccan carpets and quality tribal textiles to offset modern design. These woven treasures represent centuries of the most exquisite artistry and meticulous craftsmanship. Their weaving has been famous for the quality of the wool used and for their striking colors produced by natural dyes. In Moroccan design, the use of color is critical, and this infusion begins with intensely hued dye. Dying wool is an art form and today’s weavers continue to use ancient methods expertly. They still make an orange from henna, an indigo blue, a madder red, and a natural green; the yellow comes from a locally available plant, whereas the black wool is undyed as it comes from black-haired goats indigenous to the region.

The weaver then begins a painstaking job that will take months, if not years, to complete a single carpet. Using their design in their minds as a complete reference, the weaver uses a loom to build the rug from thousands, oftentimes millions, of individually tied knots. The work, time, detail, and tradition that goes into making carpets provides each one with a personality all its own.

The value of a carpet is based not only on the intricacy of the design but also on its age, the number of knots, and the strength of the wool. Rural rugs are identified by region, then by tribe. Their most vivid characteristic is their vibrant colors combined with stylized motifs inspired by ancient symbols or strong imaginations. Berber carpets are the most famous. They usually are handmade with naturally dyed wool in colors ranging from bright and cheerful to faded. Fez carpets, though the most expensive, are of excellent quality. They have intricate patterns and are very densely knotted.

Hand-woven pile carpets from the Taznaght tribe of the High Atlas Mountains in the south of Morocco are characterized by rich, warm colors. The rugs of this region are known for the high quality of their wool, recognizable from its high sheen and its softness. These rugs show very high quality weaving and design techniques.

The Zemmour tribes, known for their beautifully detailed weavings, are settled in the area South of Meknes, and they are one of the largest producers of textiles among the Middle Atlas Berbers. As these tribes live in a warmer climate, their textiles are more like blankets than rugs.

Berbers in the Middle Atlas also produce stunning wedding capes. Made from hand-spun wool, the carpet is woven with mirrored sequins that shake and shimmer. Traditionally in natural white, they are now available in bolder colors and used to line walls and tents.

Kilims are flat-weave rugs made of wool, silk, or combination of the tow. They are cheaper than knotted carpets, though often just as beautiful, and they make excellent decorative wall hangings and pillows.