{"id":108373,"date":"2017-05-26T13:30:06","date_gmt":"2017-05-26T17:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/?p=108373"},"modified":"2024-02-08T13:28:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T18:28:32","slug":"moroccan-tribal-rugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/moroccan-tribal-rugs\/","title":{"rendered":"A Comprehensive Guide to Moroccan Tribal Rugs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A

This wood-wrapped area of a downtown New York loft by Sachs Lindores<\/a> sees vintage French and American chairs atop a Moroccan rug. Photo by Inez and Vinoodh<\/p><\/div>\n

The West’s current infatuation with Moroccan tribal rugs<\/a> stretches to the mid-20th century<\/a>, when designers embraced bold geometric patterns and even bolder palettes as counterpoints to form-follows-function interiors. Alvar Aalto<\/a>, Frank Lloyd Wright<\/a> and Le Corbusier<\/a> were among the designers who used these rustic, natural rugs to offset austere interiors. \u201cThey even have one at Fallingwater<\/a>,\u201d Wright’s early modernist<\/a> masterpiece, says designer and dealer Madeline Weinrib<\/a>, who travels to far-flung locations to deal directly with the makers of these textile gems.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

With bohemian<\/a>, global and eco styles on the rise, there’s increased demand for all types of Moroccan tribal rugs, and prices for well-crafted, vintage versions can easily break into the six figures. However, Murat Kupcu, an antique rugs<\/a> specialist and owner of Double Knot<\/a>, has a word of caution: “With the popularity and seemingly endless supply of Moroccan rugs<\/a> today, it is important to distinguish between the authentic, made-for-home Berber rugs<\/a> and those made for the market, or for export.”<\/p>\n

Ironically, it’s the rugs that were produced most economically and without the market in mind that carry the highest price tags. Rug experts and consumers agree: We are most moved by textiles that were developed at the whim of the weaver, whose only instruction was her ancestral traditions.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, Moroccan tribal weavings were made exclusively by women and solely for personal use. Dense pile rugs served not only as floor coverings but as mattresses, seating and even blankets in the winter months. Each woman weaves the story of her life into the rugs. They are filled with symbolism and vary greatly depending on the locale where they were woven.<\/p>\n

\"A

Left to right: A densely decorated Moroccan tribal rug<\/a>, 1940s, from the interior plains; a saturated red hand-knotted Moroccan rug<\/a>, 2000; a neutral-toned Moroccan pile-woven rug<\/a>, early 21st century<\/p><\/div>\n

Vintage Moroccan rugs range from graphically dense to monochrome, incorporating bright, saturated shades as well as natural, muted tones. The dynamic, gestural shapes that are reminiscent of contemporary paintings belie the tedious, time-intensive process required to make them.<\/p>\n

In examining the major elements that make traditional Moroccan rugs unique, let’s look at the most popular tribal weaving traditions: Azilal<\/a>, Beni Mguild<\/a>, Beni Ourain<\/a>, Boucherouite<\/a>, kilim<\/a> and Tuareg<\/a> mats.<\/p>\n

\n

Bold Tribal Patterns<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t