Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Fine and Rare Antique Saharan Mauritanian Tuareg Reed and Leather Rug

$27,173.41
£20,368.16
€23,000
CA$37,331.65
A$41,677.27
CHF 21,838.26
MX$510,170.71
NOK 277,346.16
SEK 261,502.22
DKK 175,084.39

About the Item

The carpets of the Tuareg, who are cattle herding nomads inhabiting a vast expanse of the Sahara desert, are among the most exciting group of weavings to appear on the market. These are woven by binding together fine straw reeds obtained from the panicum turgidum plant with strips of camel leather, the latter being often embellished with light green and yellow pigments in order to enrich the detailing of the pattern. Referred to as eseber by the Tuareg nomads, these large mats are used as tent screens and dividers. In ‘African Nomadic Architecture’ (1995), Labelle Prussin describes these mats as essential ‘to define an interior volume in which the wealth of colour, texture, memory, and meaning that permeates and impregnates the interior of the enclosed space could constitute a closed system of imagery.’ The designs are often based on their iconography, with star and cross-like devices alternating with geometric totemic-like figures of an abstract nature - typical of other forms of African art. On this rare, fine and antique example, the field is almost entirely embroidered in a dark leather, where the pattern is derived by by not embroidering specific, small sections of the field. The exquisite quality of the rich leather embroidery, which on the earlier weavings such as this one has a dark burgundy tonality, coupled with the exceptional patina of the reed in the background, contributes in making this piece one of the most refined manifestations of the textile art of the Tuareg people.
  • Dimensions:
    Width: 111.03 in (282 cm)Length: 175.2 in (445 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Leather,Reed,Hand-Woven
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1900
  • Condition:
    There are a few scattered small oil stains which weren't removed with a light surface cleaning.
  • Seller Location:
    Milan, IT
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Alberto Levi Gallery 016041stDibs: LU954938580772

More From This Seller

View All
Vintage Saharan Tuareg Leather and Reed Rug
Located in Milan, IT
The carpets of the Tuareg, who are cattle herding nomads inhabiting a vast expanse of the Sahara desert, are among the most exciting group of weavings to appear on the market. These ...
Category

Vintage 1930s Mauritanian Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Vintage Mauritanian Sahara Tuareg Leather and Reed Large Rug
Located in Milan, IT
The carpets of the Tuareg, who are cattle herding nomads inhabiting a vast expanse of the Sahara desert, are among the most exciting group of weavings to appear on the market. These ...
Category

Vintage 1940s Mauritanian Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Fine Antique Saharan Mauritanian Tuareg Reed and Leather Rug
Located in Milan, IT
The carpets of the Tuareg, who are cattle herding nomads inhabiting a vast expanse of the Sahara desert, are among the most exciting group of weavings to appear on the market. These ...
Category

Early 20th Century Mauritanian Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Vintage Mauritanian Saharan Tuareg Reed Rug with Embroidered Leather
Located in Milan, IT
The carpets of the Tuareg, who are cattle herding nomads inhabiting a vast expanse of the Sahara desert, are among the most exciting group of weavings to appear on the market. These ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mauritanian Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Vintage Saharan African Tuareg Leather and Reed Rug
Located in Milan, IT
The carpets of the Tuareg, who are cattle herding nomads inhabiting a vast expanse of the Sahara desert, are among the most exciting group of weavings to appear on the market. These ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mauritanian Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Vintage Rare Oversize Mauritanian Sahara Tuareg Leather and Reed Rug
Located in Milan, IT
The carpets of the Tuareg, who are cattle herding nomads inhabiting a vast expanse of the Sahara desert, are among the most exciting group of weavings to appear on the market. These ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mauritanian Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

You May Also Like

Tuareg Woven Leather & Reed Rug
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Tuareg woven rug made of leather and reed. The design consists of diamond and linear patterns in an earthy palette of browns, dark reds, black, and straw yellow. Dimens...
Category

20th Century African Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Vintage African Tuareg Mat
Located in Dallas, TX
78410 vintage African Tuareg mat from Morocco 07'09 x 12'01. Full of tiny details and reflecting elements of nature with tribal style, this ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mauritanian Modern Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Vintage African Tuareg Mat
$20,640 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tuareg Mat
Located in New York, NY
Morocco, circa 1950 Measures: 12'9" x 8'2" (389 x 249 cm) Handwoven.
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

19th /early 20th C. Tuareg Leather & Reed Hand-Woven Carpet, Sahara Desert
Located in Brooklyn, NY
19th C. Tuareg Leather & Reed Hand-Woven Carpet, Sahara Desert W: 11'5" by D: 6' (aprox.).
Category

Antique Early 1900s South African Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tuareg Mat
Located in New York, NY
Morocco, circa 1940 Measures: 12'6" x 6'9" (381 x 206 cm) Handwoven.
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tuareg Mat
Located in New York, NY
Morocco, circa 1940 Size: 13'3" x 9'9" (404 x 297 cm) Handwoven.
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Reed