Vintage Moroccan Marmoucha Carpet MA04

This antique Marmoucha carpet exhibits an intricate and ornate pattern throughout. The lozenge network is created with chains of cross hatched forms, filled with both symmetrical and abstract variations of the hamsa pattern. A band of open unfilled lozenges lends a moment of pause to the composition. Narrow male side protection borders frame the piece. The very low pile displays wear and some loss, adding to the overall character of the carpet. Knotted in charcoal, dark brown and dark ivory, with a few knots of purple and red formed as a signature by the weaver. 100% wool.

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tribe.

Marmoucha

The Marmoucha tribe lives in the southern region of the Middle Atlas. They belong to the Berber Zenata, who have lived in the eastern Middle Atlas since the 10th century. Heavily influenced by their Beni Ouarain neighbors, they originally produced only white bedding carpets with a diamond lattice of narrow black lines enclosing white squares (chessboard design). They typically use the Berber knot and only rarely the symmetric knot. Marmoucha women and men weave colorful carpets for floor coverings, which have a compact hand and are quite heavy. Their flatweaves usually have a ground color of bright red/purple and orange.

tribe.Marmoucha
region.Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
circa.1940's
dimensions.9'6" x 6'7" / 2.89m x 2m
pile height.Low
fringe length.2"
condition.Very Good
rug no.MA04
rug no.