Vintage Moroccan Beni Ouarain Carpet BO88

This vintage Beni Ouarain exhibits a banded lozenge network filled with chessboard motifs, containing various Berber symbols including hamsa motifs, crosses, and stepped lozenges. Vertical lozenge chains along both selvedges form protective borders. The pattern color shifts in bands across the composition, from grey to various shades of brown and faded black on an ivory ground. 100% wool.

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tribe.

Beni Ouarain

This nomadic Berber tribe produces some of the finest quality rugs in all of Morocco. Usually made of natural ivory and black or brown wool as the pattern, these rugs show an archaic symbolism that dates back to the earliest forms of art and writing. Known for their simplistic lozenge patterns, these motifs are a link to some of the oldest discovered human artifacts, including the ancient Venus figurines of Europe. The Beni Ouarain weave with a double knot technique which allows for a thicker pile construction and added insulation from the cold. These rugs are used for family beds and could be folded over to provide protection from frigid temperatures.

tribe.Beni Ouarain
region.Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
circa.1940's-1950's
dimensions.11'1" x 5'6" / 3.38m x 1.68m
pile height.Low
fringe length.3"
condition.Very Good
rug no.BO88
rug no.