LARGE CARPETS.
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LARGE CARPETS. 1.
Here you will find larger carpets and runners with lengths more than 275cms. or 9ft. Widths will vary.
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 1550.
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
ANTIQUE TEKKE TURKOMAN CARPET DATING FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY: Unusually the repeated gul design in the field has been borrowed from the Salor weavers, a neighbouring Turkoman tribe. The pile is low and there are some small reweaves, however the piece is in good condition considering its long age. Reference 3541. Size 340 x 190 cms., or 11ft. 2ins. x 6ft. 4ins. Euros 1675.
OVERALL PHOTO SHOWING FIELD AND SURROUNDING BORDERS: ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF CLOSE UP AREAS AND WEAVE ON REVERSE AVAILABLE.
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 1550.
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.
FINE OLD QUM CARPET from Central Persia dating from the 1960 to 1970 period. The ivory field is a calm back ground to ornate flowering plants and the whole appearance is harmonious. A really good example of its kind. Reference 3468. Size 318 x 214 cms., or 10ft. 5ins. x 7ft. Euros 1450.
CLOSE UP OF SHAH ABASS STYLE LILY FLOWER in the border.
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 1450.
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.
FINE OLD BIRJAND CARPET from the Province of Khorassan in north east Persia. The deep, rich colours give a sumptuous appearance to the carpet which is still in perfect condition.
CLOSE UP OF A VERY COMPLEX CENTRAL MEDALLION DESIGN.
THE TOP BORDER INSCRIPTION READS "Karkhane ye Asghand - Ahmed Bagheri" which means it was woven in the studio in Asghand by the master weaver Ahmed Bagheri. Reference 3465. Size 430 x 330 cms., or 14 ft. 2 ins., x 11ft. Euros 1450.
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 1350.
CLOSE UP OF CENTRAL FIELD.
MOROCCAN BERBER MIXED TECHNIQUE CARPET/KILIM. The combination of the two weaving methods - both piled knots and flat weave kilim - is usually only found in the southern High Atlas Mountains on the edge of the Pre Sahara. Often very intricate bands of embroidery are used as well. The two styles mean that the flexibility of the carpet allows it to be wrapped around the body for sleeping while the piled sections add weight and therefore warmth. In our homes this versatility allows use for a floor covering, wall hanging, table cover and even a sumptuous throw over a bed or bench. Reference 3481. Size 284 x 161 cms., or 9ft. 4ins., x 5ft. 4ins. Euros 1125.
CLOSE UP OF HAND KNOTTED PILED SECTION. Fortunately for the Berber weavers of the High Atlas Mountains the plant called Henna grows profusely. It is associated with the complete spectrum of the colour yellow from pale straw to dark brown. It is the plant which many Berber women, young and old, use to make the dark brown dye used for the application to the skin to simulate tattoos. The designs are fashionable and last for weeks but unlike the other version are not permanent. This carpet uses the full range of shades including red and terracotta.
ANTIQUE BELOUCH/BALOUCH CARPET which would have served as the main floor cover in a Balouch tent. It is from the border region of north west Afghanistan where it meets eastern Iran and is probably from the period of around 1900. The rich madder red still shows its glow and the highlights of mid blue are still giving a lift to the bottom section. Much of the long kilim ends have survived decades of use. Dark colours have the corrosion inevitable with age. There are some small cuts and bruises but this grand old tribal carpet will add character to a new home with understanding owners. Reference 3555. Size 285 x 151 cms., or 9ft. 5 ins. x 5ft. A bargain at euros 120.
CLOSE UP of an attractive border and the use of indigo blue shades in the designs.
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 1780.
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 1735.
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 1550.
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.
