OLD ORIENTAL CARPET

HOME SMALL/MIDDLE RUGS SMALL/MIDDLE RUGS2 LARGE CARPETS KILIMS/FLATWEAVES 1 KILIMS/FLATWEAVES 2 TRIBAL BAG+ITEMS 1 TRIBAL BAG+ITEMS 2 OTTOMAN EMBROIDERY RESTORATION    - ARTIFACTS/ANTIQUES1 ARTIFACTS/ANTIQUES2 ARTIFACTS/ANTIQUES3 ARTIFACTS/ANTIQUES4 ARTIFACTS/ANTIQUES5 ARTIFACTS/ANTIQUES6   - ABOUT/CONTACT

LARGER CARPETS 1

Here you will find larger carpets and runners with lengths more than 275cms. or 9ft.  Widths will vary.

 

Please send any 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 750.

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 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 1250.

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 HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. This is an old Berber carpet from the region of Ouarzaguite. 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 850.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. This is an old Berber carpet from the region of Ouarzaguite. 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 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 1050.

CLOSE UP OF CENTRAL FIELD.

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 1990s. Reference 2767. Size 310 x 145 cms., or 10ft. 2ins x 4ft. 9ins. Euros 1580.

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 1990s. Reference 2767.

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.

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·s. 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·s. 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 1530.

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 1200.

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.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS CARPET which is exceptionally large and originates from the Ait Tamassine Berbers of the High Atlas between Marrakech and the pre Sahara. It is about 60 years old and in impeccable, original condition. The wools are so lustrous they impart a silky touch to the fingers. I found it in the High Atlas town of Ouazazate where it had been in the previous owner·s long principal room of his riyad. Gently and sympathetically used it will become a masterpiece for the future generation. Ait Tamassine weaving is well researched and photographed in the excellent book "Taznacht" by Wilfred Stanzer and Moroccan Berber High Atlas expert Hassane el Yakine. The weave pattern on the reverse of this carpet is very similar to the piece shown on plate 9a of their book. Reference 2788. Size 430 x 182 cms., or 14ft. 2ins. x 6ft. Euros 3850.