Afilou Vintage Moroccan Rug
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Rug Description
One-of-a-kind vintage rug, handwoven and handknotted by Beni Ourain tribes in the Middle Atlas mountains of Morocco
Dimensions: 5'8" x 10'7" (173 cm x 324 cm)
Afilou has been professionally cleaned; age-related wear and natural inconsistencies are inherent in these unique, handcrafted vintage rugs.
Rug Type:
-
Original Vintage
Vintage, handwoven rugs from Turkey and Morocco, selected for their color and design and preserved as-is.
Age:
-
Vintage
Typically between 20-100 years old
Main Color:
- Beige, Cream
Color Palette:
- Cream
A warm off-white
- Warm Vanilla Beige
A warm pale beige, almost tan
- Walnut Brown
A medium-to-dark true brown
Rug Details
- One-of-a-kind vintage rug — only one in stock!
- 100% wool
- Dimensions: 5'8" x 10'7" (173 cm x 324 cm)
- Plush pile: approximately 1.2"(3cm)
- One-sided fringe: measures 6.7" (17 cm)
- Color palette: cream, warm vanilla beige, walnut brown
- These rugs are prized for their expressive design and construction. Their freeform edges meander and wiggle, unbound by constrictions of mass production.
Curator's Notes
- Moroccan rugs don’t come with a key. As with any painting or poem, their motifs have many subjective interpretations. Originally made for personal use, these rugs took months to weave, documenting a shifting tide of events and emotions in the weaver’s life.
- Diagonal lines weave and intersect, forming a grid-like pattern
- An absolute classic, diamond-based designs create a beautiful and dynamic field of geometric shapes
- Stripes—a simple and timeless classic
- Directional design or color gradients with purposeful asymmetry and movement
- A handsome, hand-braided fringe woven from threads of the loom
As of 1991, the large Beni Ourain tribal territory was home to nearly a quarter of the Moroccan sheep population. This rather large group of tribes are famous for their fleece-like white rugs, designed for sleeping on and under, with a barely-visible meandering black or brown diamond lattice design.
Material DetailsWool, a staple in Moroccan rug design, was considered almost sacred to the Amazigh (Berber) people, whose nomadic lifestyle included sheep and goat herding. In addition to being available, wool is durable, long-lasting, and incredibly plush—so it’s super comfy to walk and relax on. In this piece, the wool pile is knotted onto a wool foundation, adding body and helping it hug the floor.
Moroccan wool is locally sourced and produces a thick, strong pile that feels soft underfoot. Having stood the test of time, this hand-processed wool has reacted to its various environments, acquiring an untamed, nubby look and feel.
