Knotted

Once again, the weavers of the Azilal region show us their inexhaustible creativity with this magnificent carpet, hand-knotted entirely with natural wool and dyed with vegetable dyes. Their designs, although they may seem abstract, respond to the ancient Berber symbolism that has been carried over time for centuries, preserving its prophylactic and propitiatory function of fertility and prosperity.

The current Moroccan province of Azilal is a mountainous area located between the High and Middle Atlas.

A striking natural wool knotted rug on a cotton warp. Its designs, although they may seem abstract, respond to the ancient Berber symbolism that has been carried over time for centuries, preserving its prophylactic and propitiatory function of fertility and prosperity. The result is a unique piece that will fit into any modern space, giving it an undeniable personality.

The current Moroccan province of Azilal is a mountainous area located between the High and Middle Atlas.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece, you can request a high-definition image to better appreciate the details. Click on +INFO

Authentic Beni Ouaraïn loop-knotted double-sided rug. 100% natural undyed wool on cotton warp. Loop-knotted, the pile becomes thicker with less wear. The way it is woven allows it to be used on both sides. Its simple design based on horizontal stripes combining different shades of the palette from brown to beige, gives it an undeniable tribal character as well as a serene organic harmony.

The Beni Ouaraïn are a confederation formed by about seventeen Berber groups inhabiting primarily the northeastern part of the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountain range. Among those tribes they may be cited the Aït Jelidassen, the Zerarda, the Aït Assou, the Ahl Telt, the Beni bou Zart or the Imrilen. The quality of the Beni Ouaraïn textiles has been acknowledged admired since long and to that have contributed the dexterity of their artisan weavers (mainly women) and the quality of the wool from a local breed of small sheeps that may still be found in certain areas inhabited by the Beni Ouaraïn. Their rugs use that wool for their warp, weft and knots. Their long pile and silky touch rugs have become well-known worldwide for the use of the very characteristic so-called -Berber knot- on two or three warp threads, the lovely cream palette of the natural undyed wool used and their medium to high thickness. However, as an exception, the expert Gebhart Blazek gives account as to how until relatively recent times the Beni bou Zart where still using the loop-knot for some of their textiles. When decorated they use geometrical patterns that reflect the richness of the Berber iconography and simbology with references to feminine and masculine elements. Beni Ouaraïn rugs are not originally meant for decoration. They would serve as mattresses for the family to withstand the freezing cold winter nights at the Atlas and then, turned over onto the other side, during the summer.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece, you can request a high-definition image to better appreciate the details. Click on +INFO

Original Beni Ouarain rug knotted by combining the traditional natural wool of this region with scraps of reused material (bucheraouite) in the rhomboidal designs. Once again, Berber women show us how to maintain tradition by making the most of resources, obtaining an even more beautiful result.

The Beni Ouaraïn are a confederation made up of around seventeen Berber tribes who predominantly inhabit the extreme northwest of the Moroccan Middle Atlas region. These tribes or groups include the Aït Jelidassen, the Zerarda, the Aït Assou, the Ahl Telt, the Beni bou Zart or the Imrilen. The quality of Beni Ouaraïn textiles has long been recognised and admired, and this has been helped by the skill of their artisan weavers, the vast majority of whom are women, and the quality of the wool used, which comes from a small variety of sheep that can still be found in the areas they inhabit. Their carpets are characterised by the use of this wool both in the warp and weft, as well as for the knotting. The knotting uses the characteristic Berber knot on two or three threads. Nevertheless, the expert Gebhart Blazek describes how, until relatively recently, the Beni bou Zart continued to make some of their weavings using the loop knot. The wool used is natural, undyed, and the technique used results in long-pile, silky-feel carpets with a warm palette of whites, ivories and creams. They are sometimes decorated with motifs, mostly geometric, made from undyed natural wool in black or brown tones and which reflect the rich Berber iconography and symbolism with allusions to feminine and masculine elements and procreation. Beni Ouaraïn rugs did not have a decorative function. They were used as communal mattresses for the family during the cold winter nights in the mountains and, turned over, during the summer.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece, you can request a high-definition image to better appreciate the details. Click on +INFO

Original, newly created rug, hand-knotted using the shiny, silky wool characteristic of the Jbel Siroua region, 100% natural and undyed. Taznahkt is the main souk of this region inhabited by the confederation of clans known as Aït Ouaouazguite.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece, you can request a high-definition image to better appreciate the details. Click on +INFO

Original, newly created rug, hand-knotted using the shiny, silky wool characteristic of the Jbel Siroua region, 100% natural and undyed. Taznahkt is the main souk of this region inhabited by the confederation of clans known as Aït Ouaouazguite.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece, you can request a high-definition image to better appreciate the details. Click on +INFO

Original, newly created rug, hand-knotted using the shiny, silky wool characteristic of the Jbel Siroua region, 100% natural and undyed. Taznahkt is the main souk of this region inhabited by the confederation of clans known as Aït Ouaouazguite.

If you are interested in purchasing the piece, you can request a high-definition image to better appreciate the details. Click on +INFO

A newly hand-made Berber knotted undyed wool rug from the tribe of the Beni Ouaraïn inhabiting the Western part of the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountain range. Their long pile and silky touch rugs have become well-known worldwide for the use of the very characteristic so-called -Berber knot- on two or three warp threads, the lovely cream palette of the natural undyed wool used, their usually plain or lozenge-based decoration and their thickness. That latter is no doubt attributable to the fact that it would have served as a mattress for the family to withstand the freezing cold winter nights at the Atlas and then turned over onto the other side during the summer. Black design.

A newly hand-made Berber knotted undyed wool rug from the tribe of the Beni Ouaraïn inhabiting the Western part of the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountain range. Their long pile and silky touch rugs have become well-known worldwide for the use of the very characteristic so-called -Berber knot- on two or three warp threads, the lovely cream palette of the natural undyed wool used, their usually plain or lozenge-based decoration and their thickness. That latter is no doubt attributable to the fact that it would have served as a mattress for the family to withstand the freezing cold winter nights at the Atlas and then turned over onto the other side during the summer. Grey design.

A newly hand-made Berber knotted undyed wool rug from the tribe of the Beni Ouaraïn inhabiting the Western part of the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountain range. Their long pile and silky touch rugs have become well-known worldwide for the use of the very characteristic so-called -Berber knot- on two or three warp threads, the lovely cream palette of the natural undyed wool used, their usually plain or lozenge-based decoration and their thickness. That latter is no doubt attributable to the fact that it would have served as a mattress for the family to withstand the freezing cold winter nights at the Atlas and then turned over onto the other side during the summer. Black design.

A Berber rug from the region of Haouz to the West of the imperial city of Marrakech in Morocco where the artisans would travel to the souks of this city to sell their carpets. Handmade medium wool pile knotted rugs made use a wide variety of colors and loose geometric patterns or play with different shades of the same palette.In any event always a pleasure for the senses.

Boujad Berber rugs come from the plains east of the imperial city of Marrakech in Morocco. The artisans would travel to the souks of this city to sell their carpets. The better known Berber group inhabiting the area from which these carpets come from are the Beni Moussa. These handmade medium wool pile knotted rugs bear some resemblance to those from the region of Haouz. They made use a wide variety of colors and loose geometric patterns or play with different shades of the same palette such as reds, pinks and any other colours. In any event always a pleasure for the senses.

Boujad Berber rugs come from the plains east of the imperial city of Marrakech in Morocco. The artisans would travel to the souks of this city to sell their carpets. The better known Berber group inhabiting the area from which these carpets come from are the Beni Moussa. These handmade medium wool pile knotted rugs bear some resemblance to those from the region of Haouz. They made use a wide variety of colors and loose geometric patterns or play with different shades of the same palette such as reds, pinks and any other colours. In any event always a pleasure for the senses.

Boujad Berber rugs come from the plains east of the imperial city of Marrakech in Morocco. The artisans would travel to the souks of this city to sell their carpets. The better known Berber group inhabiting the area from which these carpets come from are the Beni Moussa. These handmade medium wool pile knotted rugs bear some resemblance to those from the region of Haouz. They made use a wide variety of colors and loose geometric patterns or play with different shades of the same palette such as reds, pinks and any other colours. In any event always a pleasure for the senses.

From the artisan handknotted rugs woven by the different Berber groups living in the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountains those made by the tribe of the Beni Mguild or Beni M’Guild are, no doubt about it, among the most remarkable and attractive ones. To that contribute the quality of the wool, knotted by means of the so-called Berber knot and, sometimes, the symmetrical knot; the dense decoration that plays not only with the motifs, full of meanings and symbolism, but also with superb contrast of warm colors (brown, camel, gold, red, cream, etc.) without renouncing to brighter ones. The result is what we may define as almost irisdecent extremely lustrous medium pile rugs,elegant, full of character and that, sooner or later, end up becoming the focus of everybody's attention.    

The artisan handmade Azilal knotted rugs are yet another sample of the endless creativity of the Berber mind. They are mainly woven in the the Moroccan province of Azilal, a mountainous region that lies between the High and Middle Atlas range. Among the Berber groups inhabiting that area we may cite the Aït bou Oulli, the Aït Bouguemez or the Aït Sokhmane. Sheep wool is used for the pile, warp and weft but in the last decades some other materials have been introduced. They are knotted using a symmetrical knot on two warps though sometimes the so-called Berber knot is used as well. The are usually medium-piled. In any case the outcome is always spectacular, and exceedingly decorative. 

The artisan handmade Azilal knotted rugs are yet another sample of the endless creativity of the Berber mind. They are mainly woven in the the Moroccan province of Azilal, a mountainous region that lies between the High and Middle Atlas range. Among the Berber groups inhabiting that area we may cite the Aït bou Oulli, the Aït Bouguemez or the Aït Sokhmane. Sheep wool is used for the pile, warp and weft but in the last decades some other materials have been introduced. They are knotted using a symmetrical knot on two warps though sometimes the so-called Berber knot is used as well. The are usually medium-piled. In any case the outcome is always spectacular, and exceedingly decorative. 

The artisan handmade Azilal knotted rugs are yet another sample of the endless creativity of the Berber mind. They are mainly woven in the the Moroccan province of Azilal, a mountainous region that lies between the High and Middle Atlas range. Among the Berber groups inhabiting that area we may cite the Aït bou Oulli, the Aït Bouguemez or the Aït Sokhmane. Sheep wool is used for the pile, warp and weft but in the last decades some other materials have been introduced. They are knotted using a symmetrical knot on two warps though sometimes the so-called Berber knot is used as well. The are usually medium-piled. In any case the outcome is always spectacular, and exceedingly decorative. 

The artisan handmade Azilal knotted rugs are yet another sample of the endless creativity of the Berber mind. They are mainly woven in the the Moroccan province of Azilal, a mountainous region that lies between the High and Middle Atlas range. Among the Berber groups inhabiting that area we may cite the Aït bou Oulli, the Aït Bouguemez or the Aït Sokhmane. Sheep wool is used for the pile, warp and weft but in the last decades some other materials have been introduced. They are knotted using a symmetrical knot on two warps though sometimes the so-called Berber knot is used as well. The are usually medium-piled.In any case the outcome is always spectacular, and exceedingly decorative.

The handmade artisan knotted rugs from the Valley of the Ourika to the south of the imperial city of Marrakech and on the northern slopes of Moroccan High Atlas are particularly appealing. They are meant as true decoration pieces to cover the floor. They use the symmetrical knot, undyed natural wool and fragments of other textiles of vivid colors (cotton threads, etc) for the knots and, often, for the making of the warp and weft. Those latter materials with the bright colours contribute to the awesome final result that recalls modern pieces of abstract art. However, the decorative motifs are a tribute to the ancient, vast and rich Berber iconography and simbology such as the use of the lozenge as a reference to the woman's womb and to the eye as a powerful means to ward-off evil, of the zig-zag line as a masculine element. True pieces of ethnic art.

Boujad Berber rugs come from the plains east of the imperial city of Marrakech in Morocco. The artisans would travel to the souks of this city to sell their carpets. The better known Berber group inhabiting the area from which these carpets come from are the Beni Moussa. These handmade medium wool pile knotted rugs bear some resemblance to those from the region of Hafouz. They made use a wide variety of colors and loose geometric patterns or play with different shades of the same palette such as reds, pinks and any other colours. In any event always a pleasure for the senses.

Boujad Berber rugs come from the plains east of the imperial city of Marrakech in Morocco. The artisans would travel to the souks of this city to sell their carpets. The better known Berber group inhabiting the area from which these carpets come from are the Beni Moussa. These handmade medium wool pile knotted rugs bear some resemblance to those from the region of Hafouz. They made use a wide variety of colors and loose geometric patterns or play with different shades of the same palette such as reds, pinks and any other colours. In any event always a pleasure for the senses.

From the artisan handknotted rugs woven by the different Berber groups living in the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountains those made by the tribe of the Beni Mguild or Beni M’Guild are, no doubt about it, among the most remarkable and attractive ones. To that contribute the quality of the wool, knotted by means of the so-called Berber knot and, sometimes, the symmetrical knot; the dense decoration that plays not only with the motifs, full of meanings and symbolism, but also with superb contrast of warm colors (brown, camel, gold, red, cream, etc.) without renouncing to brighter ones. The result is what we may define as almost irisdecent extremely lustrous medium pile rugs,elegant, full of character and that, sooner or later, end up becoming the focus of everybody's attention.    

The area where the Marmoucha Berber clan, belonging to the larger Zenata group, is not far from the imperial Moroccan city of Fes in the southern Middle Atlas. The Marmoucha are neighbours of the Beni Ouarain and that is why some of their pieces remind sometimes of the patterns and designs from the latter. Their flatweaves usually are rich in colors and tend to be quite bright and dense. In their knotted woollen rugs, as this particular example, they usually use the so-called Berber knot and in this case short/medium pile.

An outstanding handmade Berber rug from Talsint in Figuig, one of the eastern provinces of Morocco. Hand-knotted using wool of a variety of lovely colors. The outcome is as joyful as you can see. A rug that is full of character.

From the artisan handknotted rugs woven by the different Berber groups living in the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountains those made by the tribe of the Beni Mguild or Beni M’Guild are, no doubt about it, among the most remarkable and attractive ones. To that contribute the quality of the wool, knotted by means of the so-called Berber knot and, sometimes, the symmetrical knot; the dense decoration that plays not only with the motifs, full of meanings and symbolism, but also with superb contrast of warm colors (brown, camel, gold, red, cream, etc.) without renouncing to brighter ones. The result is what we may define as almost irisdecent extremely lustrous medium pile rugs,elegant, full of character and that, sooner or later, end up becoming the focus of everybody's attention.    

A newly hand-made Berber knotted one hundred per cent undyed wool rug from the tribe of the Beni Ouaraïn inhabiting the Western part of the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountain range. Their long pile and silky touch rugs have become well-known worldwide for the use of the very characteristic so-called -Berber knot- on two or three warp threads, the lovely cream palette of the natural undyed wool used, their usually plain or lozenge-based decoration and their thickness. That latter is no doubt attributable to the fact that it would have served as a mattress for the family to withstand the freezing cold winter nights at the Atlas and then turned over onto the other side during the summer. Black design.

A newly hand-made Berber knotted one hundred per cent undyed wool rug from the tribe of the Beni Ouaraïn inhabiting the Western part of the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountain range. Their long pile and silky touch rugs have become well-known worldwide for the use of the very characteristic so-called -Berber knot- on two or three warp threads, the lovely cream palette of the natural undyed wool used, their usually plain or lozenge-based decoration and their thickness. That latter is no doubt attributable to the fact that it would have served as a mattress for the family to withstand the freezing cold winter nights at the Atlas and then turned over onto the other side during the summer. Black design.

A newly hand-made Berber knotted one hundred per cent wool rug from the tribe of the Beni Ouaraïn inhabiting the Western part of the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountain range. Their long pile and silky touch rugs have become well-known worldwide for the use of the very characteristic so-called -Berber knot- on two or three warp threads, the lovely cream palette of the natural undyed wool used, their usually plain or lozenge-based decoration and their thickness. That latter is no doubt attributable to the fact that it would have served as a mattress for the family to withstand the freezing cold winter nights at the Atlas and then turned over onto the other side during the summer. White design.

Boucherouite or Boucherwit rugs are definitely a joyful aesthetic experience. From the Moroccan arabic - bu sherwit- for pre-used textile remnant or rag ,they are modern abstract pieces of art. All rules are waived and the artisan indulges himself in a endless creative spree. Yet the ancient and rich Berber simbology often surfaces one way or another in a more or less subtle way. The materials used in these hand-made artisan rugs are diverse, new and recycled, from cotton or wool to synthetic fibres. There are no limits but the weaver's mind. No limits to color either. True tribal art statements at their best.

Boucherouite or Boucherwit rugs are definitely a joyful aesthetic experience. From the Moroccan arabic - bu sherwit- for pre-used textile remnant or rag ,they are modern abstract pieces of art. All rules are waived and the artisan indulges himself in a endless creative spree. Yet the ancient and rich Berber simbology often surfaces one way or another in a more or less subtle way. The materials used in these hand-made artisan rugs are diverse, new and recycled, from cotton or wool to synthetic fibres. There are no limits but the weaver's mind. No limits to color either. True tribal art statements at their best.

The artisan handmade Azilal knotted rugs are yet another sample of the endless creativity of the Berber mind. They are mainly woven in the the Moroccan province of Azilal, a mountainous region that lies between the High and Middle Atlas range. Among the Berber groups inhabiting that area we may cite the Aït bou Oulli, the Aït Bouguemez or the Aït Sokhmane. Sheep wool is used for the pile, warp and weft but in the last decades some other materials have been introduced. They are knotted using a symmetrical knot on two warps though sometimes the so-called Berber knot is used as well. The are usually medium-piled. In broad lines three main types of Azilal carpets can be described. The first one is the classical  one. Natural undyed white or cream wool is employed for the backgroung whilst natural undyed brown, black wool or, eventually some other color, is used for the decoration. The second type main characteristic is the deep red wool background where the decoration, either geommetrical or abstract, may show a fairly wide range of colors. This model is found among the Aït Bouzid and some experts see there influences from urban carpets from the city of Rabat. The third model appeared around the mid-1980's and its main feature is the use, together with natural or dyed wool, of a broader range of textile materials such as synthetic dyed yarns, reused fibers, etc. In any case the outcome is always spectacular, and exceedingly decorative.    

A beautiful artisan handmade knotted Berber rug from Ouelmes or Oulmes in the Moroccan Middle Atlas mountain range. The quality of the wool as well as the warmth of its red color make this medium pile rug very captivating, cosy and lustrous. A piece that will fill alone on its own right any place. 

Boujad Berber carpets come from the plains east of the imperial city of Marrakech in Morocco. The artisans would travel to the souks of this city to sell their carpets. The better known Berber group inhabiting the area from which these carpets come from are the Beni Moussa. These handmade medium wool pile knotted rugs bear some resemblance to those from the region of Hafouz. They made use a wide variety of colors and loose geometric patterns or play with different shades of the same palette such as red, pink and any other colours. In any event always a pleasure for the senses.

Boujad Berber rugs come from the plains east of the imperial city of Marrakech in Morocco. The artisans would travel to the souks of this city to sell their carpets. The better known Berber group inhabiting the area from which these carpets come from are the Beni Moussa. These handmade medium wool pile knotted rugs bear some resemblance to those from the region of Hafouz. They made use a wide variety of colors and loose geometric patterns or play with different shades of the same palette such as reds, pinks and any other colours. In any event always a pleasure for the senses.