Vintage Moroccan Berber Wool Runner With Tribal Design by Rug & Kilim, 1950-1959

Details

Description

Hand-knotted in wool and originating circa 1950-1959, this 6x12 vintage Moroccan berber runner joins Rug & Kilim’s Moroccan collection. It … Read more Hand-knotted in wool and originating circa 1950-1959, this 6x12 vintage Moroccan berber runner joins Rug & Kilim’s Moroccan collection. It features an expansive, deeply saturated brick-red field overlaid with an archaic, freeform tribal lattice in beige and charcoal, serving as a profound textile record of indigenous Amazigh history and spiritual ethos.

On the Design:

The artistic ethos of mid-century Moroccan weaving is inextricably linked to the cultural identity and spiritual life of the indigenous Amazigh women of the Atlas Mountains. Far more than utilitarian floor coverings crafted to withstand brutal winters, these textiles served as woven diaries—transmitting generational morals, tribal affiliations, and deeply held animistic beliefs. The loom itself was revered as a sacred space where wool, believed to be inherently pure, was transformed into an object imbued with *baraka*, or divine protective blessing. As such, the resulting carpets are completely free from the rigid blueprints of urban workshops, relying instead on the weaver's intuition and her profound connection to natural cycles.

This 1950s runner commands attention with its vast, deeply saturated crimson field. In historic Moroccan visual culture, this vibrant red is a powerful symbol of vitality, life force, and warmth, directly reflecting the resilient spirit of rural communities. Overlaid upon this sea of red is a loose, kinetic lattice of abstract tribal geometry rendered in charcoal and soft beige. The prominent diamond motifs are fundamental to Berber symbology, serving as representations of womanhood, the protective womb, and fertility, designed specifically to ward off the malevolent gaze of the "evil eye." This shag runner format, incredibly cozy and tactile, showcases the raw materiality that made Moroccan textiles a favorite among mid-century modernist designers. It remains a deeply authentic, living piece of art that bridges the ancient, spiritual world of the Atlas Mountains with contemporary interiors. The accompanying book, Sophie Taeuber-Arp: Living Abstraction by Anne Umland, Walburga Krupp, Charlotte Healy (eds.), Laura Braverman, Leah Dickerman, Briony Fer, et al., is part of Volumes by Rug & Kilim. The book (SKU - B198) can be acquired independently through our bookstore.

Condition:

This vintage Moroccan runner enjoys good condition for its age and origin. See less