Textiles

A lovely Berber woman's shawl, cape or -handira- from the group of the Aït Atta. It features the very characteristic distribution of stripes and colors of this group. The large confederation of the Aït Atta inhabits an extense area on the High Atlas from the Draa valley to the Ziz valley. Capes like this would be worn on special gatherings and ocassions by the women of the group and from some other neighbouring group as the Aït Hadiddou, fastened by silver fibula or brooches. This handmade handira has been woven in wool and it combines the use of natural dyes in a design that mixes the three traditional colors, red, black and green against a white or cream background and the combination of stripes of equal width in its central part. The traditional design is completed by a fringe bordering the side edges.

A lovely Berber woman's shawl, cape or -handira- from the group of the Aït Atta. It features the very characteristic distribution of stripes and colors of this group. The large confederation of the Aït Atta inhabits an extense area on the High Atlas from the Draa valley to the Ziz valley. Capes like this would be worn on special gatherings and ocassions by the women of the group and from some other neighbouring group as the Aït Hadiddou, fastened by silver fibula or brooches. This handmade handira has been woven in wool and it combines the use of natural dyes in a design that mixes the three traditional colors, red, black and green against a white or cream background and the combination of stripes of equal width in its central part. The traditional design is completed by a fringe bordering the side edges.

Piece of An appealing Berber haïk or shawl from M´Tougha in the Moroccan High Atlas. Handmade. Woven natural undyed wool. The combination of browns and creams as well as the distribution of the stripes are magnificent and grant it an elegant and authentic tribal character. A -haïk-, -hayk-, -haik- or -tahraoukht-, is an outer garment used by the different Berber tribes as part of their attire. It may come in many sizes and the way to wear it can vary a lot depending on the are and the needs of the wearer, for example, as a cape or as a sort of veil to cover head and face.

A lovely Berber woman's shawl, cape or -handira- from the group of the Aït Atta. It features the very characteristic distribution of stripes and colors of this group. The large confederation of the Aït Atta inhabits an extense area on the High Atlas from the Draa valley to the Ziz valley. Capes like this would be worn on special gatherings and ocassions by the women of the group and from some other neighbouring group as the Aït Hadiddou, fastened by silver fibula or brooches. This handmade handira has been woven in wool and it combines the use of natural dyes in a design that mixes the three traditional colors, red, black and green against a white or cream background and the combination of stripes of equal width in its central part. The traditional design is completed by a fringe bordering the side edges.

A lovely Berber woman's shawl, cape or -handira- from the group of the Aït Atta. It features the very characteristic distribution of stripes and colors of this group. The large confederation of the Aït Atta inhabits an extense area on the High Atlas from the Draa valley to the Ziz valley. Capes like this would be worn on special gatherings and ocassions by the women of the group and from some other neighbouring group as the Aït Hadiddou, fastened by silver fibula or brooches. This handmade handira has been woven in wool and it combines the use of natural dyes in a design that mixes the three traditional colors, red, black and green against a white or cream background and the combination of stripes of equal width in its central part. The traditional design is completed by a fringe bordering the side edges.

Bogolan textiles are amongst the most interesting textiles from Western Africa. Their amazingly avant-garde design should not make us think that we are in front of a recent evolution of African art but we are rather facing an ancient craft. The name would come from the Bambara language and linked to the use quite often of mud in the process of making. The variety of designs is almost endless. It is made from narrow strips of cotton woven by dexterous artisans, which are then sewn together to make larger pieces of cloth. Those are then dyed and decorated in a serie of different stages using natural substances. True pieces of tribal art not to be missed.  

Bogolan textiles are amongst the most interesting textiles from Western Africa. Their amazingly avant-garde design should not make us think that we are in front of a recent evolution of African art but we are rather facing an ancient craft. The name would come from the Bambara language and linked to the use quite often of mud in the process of making. The variety of designs is almost endless. It is made from narrow strips of cotton woven by dexterous artisans, which are then sewn together to make larger pieces of cloth. Those are then dyed and decorated in a serie of different stages using natural substances. True pieces of tribal art not to be missed.  

A cushion from the Berber tribe of the Zaïan. The group of the Zaïan inhabits areas of the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco. Their textiles are well-known for their quality and design and the richness of their palette. Hand flatwoven -hanbel- in wool and cotton. Beautiful and very decorative.

Filling not include.

A cushion from the Berber tribe of the Zaïan. The group of the Zaïan inhabits areas of the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco. Their textiles are well-known for their quality and design and the richness of their palette. Hand flatwoven -hanbel- in wool and cotton. Beautiful and very decorative.

Filling not include.

A cushion from the Berber tribe of the Zemmour. The group of the Zemmour inhabits areas of the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco. Their textiles are well-known for their quality and design and the richness of their palette. Hand flatwoven -hanbel- in wool and cotton. Beautiful and very decorative.

Filling not include.

A cushion from the Berber tribe of the Zemmour. The group of the Zemmour inhabits areas of the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco. Their textiles are well-known for their quality and design and the richness of their palette. Hand flatwoven -hanbel- in wool and cotton. Beautiful and very decorative.

Filling not include.

A cushion from the Berber tribe of the Zaïan. The group of the Zaïan inhabits areas of the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco. Their textiles are well-known for their quality and design and the richness of their palette. Hand flatwoven -hanbel- in wool and cotton. Beautiful and very decorative.

Filling not include.

Moroccan Handwoven  cushion from the silk of a cactus plant, called the Sabra Cactus, only found in Morocco. This material creates a silky texture and shiny colours.

Filling not included.

Moroccan Handwoven  cushion from the silk of a cactus plant, called the Sabra Cactus, only found in Morocco. This material creates a silky texture and shiny colours.

Filling not included.

Moroccan Handwoven  cushion from the silk of a cactus plant, called the Sabra Cactus, only found in Morocco. This material creates a silky texture and shiny colours.

Filling not included.

Moroccan Handwoven  cushion from the silk of a cactus plant, called the Sabra Cactus, only found in Morocco. This material creates a silky texture and shiny colours.

Filling not included.

Moroccan Handwoven  cushion from the silk of a cactus plant, called the Sabra Cactus, only found in Morocco. This material creates a silky texture and shiny colours.

Filling not included.

Moroccan Handwoven  cushion from the silk of a cactus plant, called the Sabra Cactus, only found in Morocco. This material creates a silky texture and shiny colours.

Filling not included.

A lovely cushion made from a fragment of bogolan Indigo vintage from Mali, and new natural cotton by the other side. interlining for more resistance.

Filling not included.

Great cushion made with remnants of an antique stunning Berber Jaique of undyed natural wool. The reverse is made of high quality rustic natural cotton which gives it a perfect consistency also to be used as a floor cushion. Zip closure. Filling not included.

A Berber haïk or shawl from M´Tougha in the Moroccan High Atlas. Handmade. Woven natural undyed wool. The combination of browns and creams as well as the distribution of the stripes are magnificent and grant it an elegant and authentic tribal character. A -haïk-, -hayk-, -haik- or -tahraoukht-, is an outer garment used by the different Berber tribes as part of their attire.

A fantastic cotton fabric dyed with natural indigo by the method of reserve, batik or madiba. Dogon women would use it as a skirt or shawl. It is made of cotton strips or bands handwoven on the traditional narrow and hanging looms. Subsequently, these bands are sewn together and are dyed achieving spectacular designs that are full of meaning for the local culture. Against the evil eye, good luck, fertility, good harvest, rain, etc.

This is an authentic tribal garment which has been used in a rural environment so it may show imperfections and remarkable signs of wear. Although, from our point of view this doesn’t alter its beauty at all, but we recommend taking this in mind when deciding your purchase. Likewise having been dyed with natural indigo it must be washed by hand, limiting the time in contact with water to the minimum essential and taking care that during drying the piece is well extended.

Bogolan textiles are amongst the most interesting textiles from Western Africa. Their amazingly avant-garde design should not make us think that we are in front of a recent evolution of African art but we are rather facing an ancient craft. The name would come from the Bambara language and linked to the use quite often of mud in the process of making. The variety of designs is almost endless. It is made from narrow strips of cotton woven by dexterous artisans, which are then sewn together to make larger pieces of cloth. Those are then dyed and decorated in a serie of different stages using natural substances. True pieces of tribal art not to be missed.  

Melfa is the traditional Mauritanian veil or tissue that women wear around their bodies. This batik dyed cotton textiles feature wonderful designs with vibrant colours that recall the firmament.

This size will suit perfectly as pareo or shawl, also as curtain, wall deco, over the table, etc

Melfa is the traditional Mauritanian veil or tissue that women wear around their bodies. This batik dyed cotton textiles feature wonderful designs with vibrant colours that recall the firmament.

This size will suit perfectly as pareo or shawl, also as curtain, wall deco, over the table, etc

Melfa is the traditional Mauritanian veil or tissue that women wear around their bodies. This batik dyed cotton textiles feature wonderful designs with vibrant colours that recall the firmament.

This size will suit perfectly as pareo or shawl, also as curtain, wall deco, over the table, etc

For many Kuba textiles are amongst the most appealing African textiles. They are raffia cut-pile cloths, very often artistically embroidered and further enriched with tight tufting that somehow reminds of -raffia- velvet. They show a great variety of designs mainly geometrical. Used by men as skirts they were symbols of status and, as such, highly esteemed.

For many Kuba textiles are amongst the most appealing African textiles. They are raffia cut-pile cloths, very often artistically embroidered and further enriched with tight tufting that somehow reminds of -raffia- velvet. They show a great variety of designs mainly geometrical. Used by men as skirts they were symbols of status and, as such, highly esteemed.

For many Kuba textiles are amongst the most appealing African textiles. They are raffia cut-pile cloths, very often artistically embroidered and further enriched with tight tufting that somehow reminds of -raffia- velvet. They show a great variety of designs mainly geometrical. Used by men as skirts they were symbols of status and, as such, highly esteemed.

For many Kuba textiles are amongst the most appealing African textiles. They are raffia cut-pile cloths, very often artistically embroidered and further enriched with tight tufting that somehow reminds of -raffia- velvet. They show a great variety of designs mainly geometrical. Used by men as skirts they were symbols of status and, as such, highly esteemed.

For many Kuba textiles are amongst the most appealing African textiles. They are raffia cut-pile cloths, very often artistically embroidered and further enriched with tight tufting that somehow reminds of -raffia- velvet. They show a great variety of designs mainly geometrical. Used by men as skirts they were symbols of status and, as such, highly esteemed.

For many Kuba textiles are amongst the most appealing African textiles. They are raffia cut-pile cloths, very often artistically embroidered and further enriched with tight tufting that somehow reminds of -raffia- velvet. They show a great variety of designs mainly geometrical. Used by men as skirts they were symbols of status and, as such, highly esteemed.

For many Kuba textiles are amongst the most appealing African textiles. They are raffia cut-pile cloths, very often artistically embroidered and further enriched with tight tufting that somehow reminds of -raffia- velvet. They show a great variety of designs mainly geometrical. Used by men as skirts they were symbols of status and, as such, highly esteemed.

A lovely cushion made from a fragment of bogolan Indigo vintage from Mali, and new natural linen by the other side. interlining for more resistance.

Filling not included.

A lovely cushion made from a fragment of a handiras.  A woman's shawl, the -handira- from the High Atlas, though the use of these capes has extended to some areas of the High Atlas as well. It combines handwoven natural undyed wool and cotton. It features very distinctive decorative stripes and long cotton fringes or pile. Distinctive sequins on cotton threads have been added. Nowadays it would be used during special gatherings and festivities where the women, dancing together, make a magical sound by ratling their jewellery and the sequins themselves!. 

Filling not included.

A fantastic cotton fabric dyed with natural indigo by the method of reserve, batik or madiba. Dogon women would use it as a skirt or shawl. It is made of cotton strips or bands handwoven on the traditional narrow and hanging looms. Subsequently, these bands are sewn together and are dyed achieving spectacular designs that are full of meaning for the local culture. Against the evil eye, good luck, fertility, good harvest, rain, etc.

The cultivation and weaving of cotton travels back more than a thousand years in the history of Mali, as well as the techniques for the processing and dying with indigo, which in this region grows wild (Indigofera Arrecta) and is also cultivated. Archaeological excavations at the Bandiagara Escarpment (Mali) in the last century’s decade of the 60’s unearthed remnants of indigo-dyed cotton fabrics dating from the 10th to 12th centuries whose manufacture and motifs are practically the same as those found nowadays. These findings are attributed to the already extinct Tellem people who were replaced by the Dogons who would have inherited the knowledge and technology to produce such fabrics.

This is an authentic tribal garment which has been used in a rural environment so it may show imperfections and remarkable signs of wear. Although, from our point of view this doesn’t alter its beauty at all, but we recommend taking this in mind when deciding your purchase. Likewise having been dyed with natural indigo it must be washed by hand, limiting the time in contact with water to the minimum essential and taking care that during drying the piece is well extended.

A lovely wrap or pareo (pagne) from the Baulé of Ivory Coast. This is a 100% handmade garment woven by the Baulé using traditional hanging looms and techniques dating back to the Xth century. The final cloth is made by sewing together about 9 to 11 indigo dyed thin cotton bands. Then embroided zoomorphic and antropomorphic motivs sewn with vivid colors which will provide protection and good will to the wearer. Truly beautiful.

This one is a vintage example that has been chosen due to its authenticity and beauty. It is in a reasonable good state even though it may show some slight spots or minor unstitches that only add to its captivating and undeniable charm.