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LARGE CARPETS 1
HERE YOU WILL FIND carpets longer than 275cms. or 9ft. Widths will vary.
Please send any questions or enquiries to me at ldrowcroft@gmail.com
MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. An example from the Djebel Siroua region south of the High Atlas. The lustrous hand spun wools are either undyed or dyed with henna. A similar piece can be seen in "Maroc - Tapis de Tribus" on plate 45 and "Carpets and Textiles of Morocco" by Pickering, Yohe et al on plate 58. Reference 2077. Size 290 x 145cms. 9ft.6in.x 4ft.9in. Euros 1780.
MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. An example from the Djebel Siroua region south of the High Atlas. The lustrous hand spun wools are either undyed or dyed with henna. A similar piece can be seen in "Maroc - Tapis de Tribus" on plate 44 and "Carpets and Textiles of Morocco" by Pickering, Yohe et al on plate 58. Reference 2077. Size 290 x 145cms. 9ft.6in.x4ft.9in. Close up
MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS CARPET. A rare and beautiful piece from the first half of the 20th century. It is in excellent condition, complete in every aspect, with a soft, supple feel and a wide range of pastel shades of natural dyes. Although it is certainly from the High Atlas east of Marrakech precise origin is difficult. The palette suggests the Berber group Ait Bou Ichaouen in the very east towards the Algerian border, but some structural elements, especially the side cords and overcasting are consistent with the Zaouiat Tamga group east of Azilal. Virtually identical work is clearly visible in the carpet shown on pages 90 and 91 of `Maroc - Tapis du Tribus` by Bouilloc, Crouzet et. al. Ref. 2191. Size 372 x 193 cms, 12ft 3ins x 6ft 4ins, Euros 1950.
MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS CARPET. A rare and beautiful piece from the first half of the 20th century. It is in excellent condition, complete in every aspect, with a soft, supple feel and a wide range of pastel shades of natural dyes. Although it is certainly from the High Atlas east of Marrakech precise origin is difficult. The palette suggests the Berber group Ait Bou Ichaouen in the very east towards the Algerian border, but some structural elements, especially the side cords and overcasting are consistent with the Zaouiat Tamga group east of Azilal. Virtually identical work is clearly visible in the carpet shown on pages 96 and 97 of `Maroc - Tapis du Tribus` by Bouilloc, Crouzet et. al. Ref. 2191. Size 372 x 193 cms. CLOSE UP.
MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. Early 20th century carpet from Ait Ouaouzguite in the Djebel Siroua which is the region between the High and the Anti Atlas. Some of the wool is undyed and the colours include henna, saffron and indigo. Similar pieces can be seen in "Maroc - Tapis de Tribus" plate 43, and "Carpets and Textiles of Morocco" plate 59. Reference 2071. Size 275 x 145 cms., 9ft. x 4ft.9in. Euros 1880.
MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. Early 20th century carpet from Ait Ouaouzguite in the Djebel Siroua which is the region between the High and the Anti Atlas. Some of the wool is undyed and the colours include henna, saffron and indigo. Similar pieces can be seen in "Maroc - Tapis de Tribus" plate 43, and "Carpets and Textiles of Morocco" plate 59. Reference 2071. Size 275 x 145 cms., 9ft. x 4ft.9in. CLOSE UP.
MOROCCAN BERBER BENI OUARAIN CARPETwhich is from the Middle Atlas Mountains. Only undyed hand spun local Berber wool has been used for the pile which is soft and lustrous. The designs are interpretaions of Berber folklore based on nature and supersitions. The carpet is in perfect condition. Reference 3127. Size 295 x 205 cms., or 9ft. 8ins. x 6ft. 8ins. Euros 1375.
WE FOUND THIS CARPET IN THE SMALL BAZAAR OF KHEMISSET in the Middle Atlas one freezing cold morning while buying in the region of Zemmour.
MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. This is an old Berber carpet from the region of Ouarzazate, probably from the Ait Tamasine Berber group. It is in excellent condition and has soft, lustrous hand spun wools. The field is of very dark brown and the designs in white and henna. The narrow borders are often found in this area and pieces with similarities of design and colours can be seen in "Tapis de Tribus" as plates 43 and 44. Reference 2074. Size 295 x 148 cms. 9ft. 8ins. x 4ft. 5ins. Euros 1925.
MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. This is an old Berber carpet from the region of Ouarzazate, probably from the Ait Tamasine Berber group. It is in excellent condition and has soft, lustrous hand spun wools. The field is of very dark brown and the designs in white and henna. The narrow borders are often found in this area and pieces with similarities of design and colours can be seen in "Tapis de Tribus" as plates 43 and 44. Reference 2074. Size 295 x 148 cms. 9ft. 8ins. x 4ft. 5ins. CLOSE UP.
MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS CARPET. The carpets and rugs from the Berbers of the Azilal region have the most diverse colour range of all Moroccan work. They range from the vibrant, some say psychedelic, colours to the simplistic undyed natural shades as seen here in this lustrous carpet. The ivory field has a lattice design of faded madder outlined in a natural deep rich brown. The piece is in perfect condition with original kilim ends and overcasting and the knotting is very fine for the region. Reference 3130. Size 284 x 183 cms., or 9ft. 4ins. x 6ft. Euros 1150.
Three harmonious colours combine to make a pleasing design.
MOROCCAN HIGH ALAS BERBER CARPET. This is a superb and rare example from the Ait Zenaga Berbers and is among the oldest carpets I have. The condition is excellent with original ends and overcasting. The background field colors of many Ait Zenaga carpets range from dark indigo through to charcoal and this allows for richly shaded designs to appear to float on the surface in an almost three dimensional way. The weaving and history of this High Atlas tribe is well researched in the excellent book "Taznacht" and plates 41 to 48 feature examples. Rare and very collectible. Reference 2770. Size 330 x 134 cms., or 10ft. 10ins. x 3ft. 5ins. Euros 2650..
MOROCCAN HIGH ALAS BERBER CARPET. This is a superb and rare example from the Ait Zenaga Berbers and is among the oldest carpets I have. The condition is excellent with original ends and overcasting. The background field colors of many Ait Zenaga carpets range from dark indigo through to charcoal and this allows for richly shaded designs to appear to float on the surface in an almost three dimensional way. The weaving and history of this High Atlas tribe is well researched in the excellent book "Taznacht" and plates 41 to 48 feature examples. Rare and very collectible. Reference 2770. CLOSE UP of the central field shows flower heads and night time stars floating on a rich dark background.
MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS BERBER CARPET. PUBLISHED IN "ORIENTAL RUGS: AN ILLUSTRATED LEXICON OF MOTIFS, MATERIALS AND ORIGINS" by Peter Stone, pages 45/46. The rich vibrant colors are typical of work from the Beni MGuild. The pile is long, and the piece is in excellent condition. The intricate diamond design is found both in the weavings of the Berber Beni M`guild in the Middle Atlas mountains and also their neighbours the Zaine. The design is shown in a carpet on pages 16 and 17 of "Tapis de Tribus" Reference 2144. Size 283x176 cms, 7ft 10ins x 4ft 6ins, Euros 1725.
MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS BERBER CARPET. PUBLISHED IN "ORIENTAL RUGS: AN ILLUSTRATED LEXICON OF MOTIFS, MATERIALS AND ORIGINS" by Peter Stone, pages 45/46. The rich vibrant colors are typical of work from the Beni MGuild. The pile is long, and the piece is in excellent condition. The intricate diamond design is found both in the weavings of the Berber Beni M`guild in the Middle Atlas mountains and also their neighbours the Zaine. The design is shown in a carpet on pages 16 and 17 of "Tapis de Tribus" Reference 2144. Size 283x176 cms, 7ft 10ins x 4ft 6ins. CLOSE UP.
THE BENI MGUILD CARPET SHOWN ABOVE is featured in this text book.
THE DESIGN and information about this type of rug is documented in this book.
MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS CARPET from the little known Ait Ben Aissa group in the Middle Atlas east of Fez. It has a rich and lustrous pile with deep colour combinations and is in excellent condition. Reference 2142. Size 328 x 165 cms, 10ft 9ins x 5ft 6ins, Euros 2250.
MOROCCAN BERBER MIDDLE ATLAS CARPET from the little known Ait Ben Aissa group in the Middle Atlas east of Fez. It has a rich and lustrous pile with deep colour combinations and is in excellent condition. Reference 2142. Size 328 x 165 cms, 10ft 9ins x 5ft 6ins. CLOSE UP.
MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET, an old and rare piece in excellent condition which is from the Ait Tamassine Berber group. The weaver has included in her random designs depictions of traditional Berber symbols representing the natural world around her. Thus we have sheep, the flowers they graze on, paths, mountain ranges and the often portrayed superstitious motifs. Four primitive keys are also shown and are a reference to the storage of moderate wealth hidden away. Fascinating, and a rare pleasure to own. There is good information on the Ait Tamassine and other High Atlas Berber tribes in the excellent book "Taznacht" which resulted from extensive research there in the 1990新. Reference 2767. Size 310 x 145 cms., or 10ft. 2ins x 4ft. 9ins. Euros 2250.
MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET, an old and rare piece in excellent condition which is from the Ait Tamassine Berber group. The weaver has included in her random designs depictions of traditional Berber symbols representing the natural world around her. Thus we have sheep, the flowers they graze on, paths, mountain ranges and the often portrayed superstitious motifs. Four primitive keys are also shown and are a reference to the storage of moderate wealth hidden away. Fascinating, and a rare pleasure to own. There is good information on the Ait Tamassine and other High Atlas Berber tribes in the excellent book "Taznacht" which resulted from extensive research there in the 1990新. Reference 2767. CLOSE UP OF SHEEP AND THEIR FLORAL FOOD.
There are 4 primitive keys woven into the designs in the center of the carpet. They indicate that the precious items of the family are safely locked way.
This rare, old carpet had been stored away in the village of Ouazazate, known as the gateway to the Sahara, for many years. I discovered it on the last trip.
WOVEN TO ORDER AND SOLD. This Beni Ourain carpet measured 610 x 366 cms or 20ft. x 12 ft. and was woven for a customer in California. I worked closely with him to create a minimal design with colours to blend with his interior design.
WOVEN TO ORDER AND SOLD. This composite shows the weaving to order of a Beni Ourain carpet 485 x 366 cms., or 15ft x 12ft. 9ins, in size for a customer in Florida in the USA. The photos show the actual carpet being woven to the customer`s own design. The finished piece is shown top right and the carpet in its new home on the bottom row. Loading such a carpet takes two men at least.
MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS CARPET from the Ait Zenaga Berber tribe. Although the deep field color is typical of Ait Zenaga weaving the rest of the colors and design are most unusual and there appears to be no others of this style in the literature. The carpet is in excellent condition and dates probably from the 1950新. The pile is full and the sides and end finishes intact. A fascinating piece found recently on a specific mission to the southern High Atlas to find rare old carpets. Reference 2769. CLOSE UP.
MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS CARPET from the Ait Zenaga Berber tribe. Although the deep field color is typical of Ait Zenaga weaving the rest of the colors and design are most unusual and there appears to be no others of this style in the literature. The carpet is in excellent condition and dates probably from the 1950新. The pile is full and the sides and end finishes intact. A fascinating piece found recently on a specific mission to the southern High Atlas to find rare old carpets. Reference 2769. Size 371 x 145 cms., or 12ft. 2ins. x 4ft. 9ins. Euros 2650.
LAST CHECK of the carpet. Close scrutiny by touch and eyes have revealed a beautiful old carpet in top condition.
CLOSE UP of original kilim bottom end.
MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS CARPET. The high knot density and lustrous shades of the many colors used makes this old example special. Many Ait Tamassine Berber pieces have this overall effect of chesnut, bronze and purplish hues. The carpet is in excellent, complete, condition with original ends and sides and it dates fom the mid 20th century. There is good information on Ait Tamassine in the well researched text book "Taznacht" and color plates 6, 7, 8 and 9 all show carpets from this tribe which incorporate similar designs, color and construction. Reference 2772. CLOSE UP of top border, fringe and field designs with rich, deep colors.
MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS CARPET. The high knot density and lustrous shades of the many colors used makes this old example special. Many Ait Tamassine Berber pieces have this overall effect of chesnut, bronze and purplish hues. The carpet is in excellent, complete, condition with original ends and sides and it dates fom the mid 20th century. There is good information on Ait Tamassine in the well researched text book "Taznacht" and color plates 6, 7, 8 and 9 all show carpets from this tribe which incorporate similar designs, color and construction. Reference 2772. Size 331 x 149 cms., or 10ft. 11ins. x 5ft. Euros 2650.
ONE HUNDRED MILES FURTHER ON and it is time for a break in the ancient coastal city of Essaouira. We let the van cool down by opening all the doors before departure. In the background is part of the old city wall and Fort which were finished by the Portuguese around 1503!
BRIGHT SUNLIGHT brings intense mid-day heat to the central courtyard of this very old riyad in the Haouz region. The sombre rooms provide relief from the heat and glare. The rooms on all four sides of the three story house are stacked with carpets and I spend many hours sifting through the piles.
THE DIAMOND DESIGN IN THE VERY CENTER PANEL appears to float on a deep background.
