Large Moroccan Rug 48060

Large Contemporary Moroccan Carpet, Origin: Morocco, Circa: Early 21st Century – Here is an intriguing contemporary carpet – a Moroccan rug, woven in the style of the Beni Ourain, the tribespeople of the Atlas Mountains whose rugs and carpets enjoy a considerable following around the world. Though this particular example is in fact a contemporary rug, it effectively captures some of the more important and finer points of this endearingly popular style. For instance, the ivory field and simple crisscrossing of brown lines that characterize the entire composition are highly consistent with the best examples of Beni Ourain rugs. Perhaps the most intriguing characteristic exhibited by this carpet is a slight sense of abstraction. This is generated by the slightly irregular spacing of the brown detail lines; for rather than forming a neat grid, the pattern achieved here is slightly eccentric, with some negative spaces large than others. This small aesthetic touch gives the entire carpet a sense of complexity and imagination, without compromising its pleasingly minimalist aesthetic.

This particular Moroccan rug from the Nazmiyal Collection differs from many vintage and antique Moroccan rugs of similar design because of its size: at approximately eight feet wide by eleven feet long, it’s larger than many older Moroccan rugs. This is because traditionally, Moroccan rugs are woven by members of the nomadic tribes that traverse the region, and so their looms are limited in size to what they could carry with them. This fact explains why most older Moroccan rugs are long and narrow, rather than very wide. Despite the nomadic nature of the tribes people who traditionally craft these rugs, Western taste for rugs of this design has caused many modern weavers to create rugs with European or American buyers in mind, and that means creating rugs that will fit nicely into typical western room sizes, with more “standard” measurements, such as 9′ by 12′, or 8′ x 10′ rugs.

Although the European and American markets have had an effect on the sizes of modern Moroccan rugs, the designs and weaving techniques used by contemporary Moroccan weavers can be traced back all the way to the Paleolithic era. Weaving in Morocco was developed more as a practical solution to the hardships of Moroccan weather, rather than as purely an aesthetic craft. The unique climate of Morocco, which can be very arid and warm, or harshly cold, effects the techniques employed by Moroccan weavers: For instance, tribes people who are residing in the snowy Atlas mountains create thick rugs with a heavy pile to keep them warm, while those living in the hot Saraha desert create thinner, flat woven rugs.

This particular contemporary Moroccan rug features a thick shaggy pile, and a minimalist geometric design. Although many Moroccan weavers have had no formal artistic training, the simple geometries and stark contrast in color used by many of these artisans appeals greatly to modern Western customers, who find that the look pairs very well with contemporary interior design.