Lelian Vintage Moroccan Rug

• 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 Originally made for personal use, these rugs took months to weave, documenting a shifting tide of events and emotions in the weaver’s life.
• A series of repeating medallions fill out the field in balanced, ornamental details
• An eight-pointed star symbolizes the feminine and fertility
• Directional design or color gradients with purposeful asymmetry and movement

A confederation of tribes whose territory sat between Rabat and Meknès, the Zemmour wove piled rugs which tended to be smaller than most Middle Atlas rugs. These pieces often combine vertical and horiziontal rows of motifs into a chessboard design, or feature diamond and triangular arrangements. Red is frequently used for the ground or the selvedge.

Wool, 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 soft—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.