Vintage Moroccan Beni M'Tir Carpet BT03

A vintage Moroccan Beni M’Tir featuring large scale elongated lozenges that appear stretched over the field. The motif network is filled with an array of Berber symbology, including 8-pointed stars, ladders, diamonds, and cross forms. The abrashed crimson red ground abruptly shifts to magenta and plum, lending depth and a striking contrast to the pattern in orange, violet, celadon, and charcoal. 100% wool.

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tribe.

Beni M'Tir

From the Arabic word meaning "belonging to the birds", likely referring to their retreat after raids on horseback. Due to their proximity to royal towns, they were often vulnerable to attack by the central government. At the turn of the century part of the tribe retreated to the Beni M'Guild and Ait Serrouchen territories. Beni M'Tir carpets often contain two colors, orange and yellow, combined on a purple/red ground, and may resemble the work of the Beni M'Guild tribe. Motifs include dominant cross shapes inside lozenges, sometimes blurred by the pile, and borders are often non-existent or insignificant. Weavers prefer the Berber knot, but sometimes utilize the symmetric knot towards the center, bordered by the Berber knot.

tribe.Beni M'Tir
region.Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
circa.1960's-1970's
dimensions.12'1" x 6'2" / 3.68m x 1.88m
pile height.Medium
fringe length.5"
condition.Excellent
rug no.BT03
rug no.Inquire below