OLD ORIENTAL CARPET

MEDIUM RUGS 1

HERE YOU WILL FIND rugs of the size 181 to 275cms., or 6ft. to 9ft. long. with various width sizes.

Please send any questions or enquiries to me at ldrowcroft@gmail.com

BUYING OLD RUGS in the Medina in Marrakech.

AN OLD FORT near the town of Sidi Mokhtar is used as a collection point and co-operative for rugs woven in homes in the surrounding villages. Sometimes - with luck - a few old pieces are still available.

BERBER DESIGNS ARE OFTEN based on the world around them, in this case a life-size portrayal of the water seller who is a vital part of every market day. He wears the broad hat to protect against the scorching sun. Around his neck is his long chain holding his bell and the metal cups he dispenses water in. From the right shoulder his personal old goatskin bag contains money and his daily provisions, while the left bag contains the water. This is a primitive, fascinating expression of Berber life. The foundation is wool and the pile a mixture of wools and shredded textiles. It is from the Middle Atlas. Reference 2678. Size 228 x 145 cm., 7ft. 6ins. x 4ft. 9ins. Euros 420. THIS RUG HAS BEEN SOLD.

I took this photo in Khemisset market. Berber designs are often based on the world around them, in this case a life-size portrayal of the water seller who is a vital part of every market day. He wears the broad hat to protect against the scorching sun. Around his neck is his long chain holding his bell and the metal cups he dispenses water in. From the right shoulder his personal old goatskin bag contains money and his daily provisions, while the left bag contains the water. This is a primitive, fascinating expression of Berber life. The foundation is wool and the pile a mixture of wools and shredded textiles. It is from the Middle Atlas.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. This old carpet is from the region of Ait Ouaouzguite in the High Atlas mountains south of Marrakech. The dyes include colours taken from henna, saffron and curcuma. It is in good original condition with full pile, complete ends and overcasting. There is a small reweave in the top kilim end border. A similar piece with these panel designs is shown in "From Sign to Image - The Moroccan Carpet" pages 169 to 171. Reference 2078. Size 270 x 160cms, 9ft x 5ft 3ins, Euros 980.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER CARPET. This old carpet is from the region of Ait Ouaouzguite in the High Atlas mountains south of Marrakech. The dyes include colours taken from henna, saffron and curcuma. It is in good original condition with full pile, complete ends and overcasting. There is a small reweave in the top kilim end border. A similar piece with these panel designs is shown in "From Sign to Image - The Moroccan Carpet" pages 169 to 171. Reference 2078. Size 270 x 160cms, 9ft x 5ft 3ins. CLOSE UP.

Only 13 miles separate my home in southern Spain from Morocco. It is only a 35 minute ferry to the northern city of Tangier. From there it is four wheel driving to the edge of the Sahara.

Traditional kilims, cushions and pillows provide a relaxing Moroccan interior. See the sections on Kilims/Flat Weaves and also Woven Bags and Artifacts for many similar examples.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER RUG A gifted weaver has created an almost 3 dimensional look by contrasting central medallions of deep charcoal with lustrous undyed white wool in the field. There is minor use of a very light apricot highlight. This rug is from the region of Azilal in the foothills of the High Atlas, east of Marrakech. Reference 2553. Size 227 x 142cms. 7ft.5in. x 4ft.8in. Euros 865.

MOROCCAN HIGH ATLAS BERBER RUG A gifted weaver has created an almost 3 dimensional look by contrasting central medallions of deep charcoal with lustrous undyed white wool in the field. There is minor use of a very light apricot highlight. This rug is from the region of Azilal in the foothills of the High Atlas, east of Marrakech. Reference 2553. Size 227 x 142cms. 7ft.5in. x 4ft.8in. CLOSE UP.

MOROCCAN BERBER HIGH ATLAS RUG. Few weavers can achieve such a deep rich glowing background as this. The indigo dye allows the portrayal of flower heads and other traditional Berber designs to float, The shades of yellow from pale to deep are the result of skillful use of wild henna as the dye. The rug is from the southern tip of the High Atlas range around Tazenacht on the edge of the Pre-Sahara. Reference 2777. Size 182 x 128 cms., or 6ft. x 4ft. 3ins. Euros 750.

INDIGO, MADDER AND HENNA combine to make a dramatic design.

MOROCCO BERBER RUG which is old but in outstanding unblemished condition and is complete with its embroidered kilim ends. The pile is full and the wools very lustrous. The colors appear to be natural and many shades of the local henna dyed wool have been used. The unique use of bands of different colored weft threads and their use in overcasting show that it is the work of the At Tamassin Berber group north of the major centre of Tazenacht. There is substantial information on this region and its weavings in the excellent text book "Tasnacht" by Kurt Rainer and Hassane el Yakine on pages 80 and 84 to 86. Reference 3350. Size 250 x 138 cms., or 8ft. 3ins. x 4ft. 7ins. Euros 980

CLOSE UP OF the deep, dark background upon which designs and motifs stand out sharply.

ANTIQUE KURDISH RUG from the western Kurdish Mountain region of the Iran/Iraq border. A very similar example, with the same repeated floral bushes set on an abrashed central field, and also having the same mustard coloured border, is shown as plate 9, page 59, in the text book "An Introduction to Kurdish Rugs" by William Eagleton. He notes that the remoteness of the area and small supply is inadequate to fill the demand for these rugs which are now appreciated and dates the piece as c. 1925. The condition is outstanding. The pile is low but even and the original ends, complete with embroidered kilim finishes intact. The colours have a depth and richness which glow when the fine supple rug is wafted. Reference 3396. Size 250 x 110 cms., or 9ft. 3ins. x 3ft. 8 ins. Euros 1150.

CLOSE UP of the lower part showing the intricate design and the complete embroidered kilim end.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS BERBER RUG. The use of squares and rectangles, as shown here, is peculiar to Berber work from the region of Boujad in the western Middle Atlas. There is a rug in "Marokko" by Kurt Rainer on plate 110 which has identical shades of the red, green and yellow as in this piece. It is attributed to the Beni Mussa Berber sub-tribe. It would make a dramatic wall hanging. Reference 2333. Size 188 x 125cms. 6ft.2in. x 4ft.1in. Euros 190.

MOROCCAN MIDDLE ATLAS BERBER RUG. The use of squares and rectangles, as shown here, is peculiar to Berber work from the region of Boujad in the western Middle Atlas. There is a rug in "Marokko" by Kurt Rainer on plate 110 which has identical shades of the red, green and yellow as in this piece. It is attributed to the Beni Mussa Berber sub-tribe. It would make a dramatic wall hanging. Reference 2333. Size 188 x 125cms. 6ft.2in. x 4ft.1in. CLOSE UP.

STREET FOOD, MARRAKECH STYLE. The early evening air is filled with smoke from open cooking fires.

DEEP IN THE BAZAAR a shaft of sunlight makes an ideal sleeping place for one of the residents

RARE OLD LURI TRIBAL RUG. Although the Lurs are among the most ancient inhabitants of what is now Iran there is little information about their weaving compared to other tribal groups. Geographically they inhabit two major areas of the Zagros region and are surrounded by many other tribes. Many exchanges of ideas and designs have taken place within neighbours which makes exact attribution difficult, as is the case here. The rug has designs found in Luri rugs from Aliabad, known as Yalameh. Even the wool feels as it is from there. Other designs and colours are found in several Luri pieces found in the excellent books by James Opie. The dark yellow and avocado green ar both used in rugs and kilims from Lurs much further south in the orbit of Shiraz. Overall good condition, some corrosion and the ends have been secured. Soft supple wools with a good lustre and sheen. Reference 3397. Size 260 x 151 cms., or 8ft. 6ins. x 5ft. Euros 1300. Did you find the guard dog hiding in the field?.

CLOSE UP OF THE CENTRE FIELD SHOWING THE MAJOR DESIGN. The colours are typically deep rich shades of mid-blue and madder red. The yellow shade and avocado green are not often found in large designs such as these, they are usually included in small leaves and flowers.

MOROCCO ---- OFTEN SEEN, OFTEN IGNORED.