Moroccan rugs have exploded in popularity, gracing interiors with their plush textures, earthen tones, and geometric patterns. Yet, the image that likely comes to mind is just one type among the myriad.
While these pieces vary greatly in design and construction, most use a Berber knot, which Ben describes as something of a complex double-knot, wrapped twice around two wefts. Revival Rugs’ new Moroccan collection includes vibrant, multicolored selections.
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The designs were shaped by climate conditions and tribal lifestyles. Punishing winters in the Atlas Mountains gave rise to high-pile rugs used for bedding while the arid Sahara produced airy, flat-weave shawls. Other rugs were intended to be used as floor coverings or tent panels.
Semi-nomadic cultures required looms and carpets to be transportable, so weavings couldn’t extend beyond seven feet. Rug design varies according to tribe, region, and intended purpose. Ben explains that wool, considered sacred, is processed with care to honor its value.
The tribes source the material from their sheep herds, though goat and camel are not unheard of, "to make pieces for comfort, protection from the elements, and ultimately, beauty."
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Far from just aesthetic, the motifs are symbolic, revealing a narrative passed down through generations. "Each rug can take up to a year to complete," says Ben, "and the designs depict everything from spirituality, to femininity, to male protection, while the interaction of the symbols narrate the weaver’s life."
"Morocco has a complex, fascinating history full of many different cultures melding together to ultimately create this extremely storied, deep, and exuberant culture," Ben continues. "The relationship to language and religion is multifaceted, and there is a deep tradition of storytelling that runs through all of their art forms."
The high level of craftsmanship in Morocco led Revival Rugs to open their office in Casablanca. Revival Rugs works on the ground, directly with artisans, to select handmade pieces.
"We think it's really important to have a local presence when you’re buying overseas-it helps you really understand the culture and also develop solid relationships based on trust," says Ben.
Let's delve deeper into the types, selection, styling and care of high pile Moroccan rugs.
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The majority you’ll find in shops are made by one of the forty-five distinct Berber tribes in the country, making it an ideal destination for buying Berber rugs in Morocco. Each one has a unique style and every Moroccan Berber rug is handmade on a loom. It’s most often done by women in their free time.
Rugs can take anywhere from 10 days to 6 months to make depending on size, complexity, and how much time she has. Rugs first and foremost are used in homes or for celebrations.
Types of Moroccan Rugs
One of the most common misconceptions about Moroccan rugs is that they come in a limited number of styles. In reality, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of variations. With roughly 40 different Amazigh (Berber) tribes in Morocco, each tribe boasts its own distinctive rug style, and sometimes multiple styles are produced within the same tribe.
A frequent sales tactic is to make a rug appear unique simply because it is labeled as a "Berber" rug. The truth is, all authentic Moroccan rugs are Berber rugs, crafted by the Berber people of Morocco. These rugs were originally designed for practical purposes and continue to serve those functions today.
Here are some of the most popular styles:
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- Beni Ourain Rugs: The black and white, minimalist styles that have grown so much in popularity are from the Beni Ourain tribes. The handmade details were heralded in the 1930s when designers like Le Corbusier, Charles and Ray Eames, and Alvar Alto incorporated Moroccan pieces to counterbalance their sleek furnishings. Even Frank Lloyd Wright handpicked carpets for his clients.
- Azilal Rugs: While the black-and-white styles of the Beni Ourain tribes are admired for their minimalism, Azilal rugs-produced by the Ait Bouzid, Ait Shokmane, Ait Bou Oulli and Ait Bougmez tribes in the Atlas Mountains-are one-of-a-kind pieces created from a combination of dyed and undyed sheep’s wool. Similar to Beni Ourain rugs, diamond-lattice patterns crosshatch a neutral palette; however, Azilal rugs display an array of abstract elements and henna, saffron, indigo, and madder root hues. Each rug acts as a talisman, a defense against the elements and negative energy.
- Boucherouite Rugs: Boucherouite rugs are multihued pieces that are created by cutting readymade textiles like clothing and sheets into scraps to be woven. Says Ben, "[The weaving culture in Morocco] is living, breathing, and morphing before our very eyes, responding to environmental, cultural, and market changes." He cites boucherouite rugs as an example, as the colorful, exuberant designs are woven from scraps of readymade textiles such as clothing and sheets.
These are just a few of the different, and more popular styles of Moroccan rugs, showcasing the rich diversity and intricate craftsmanship typical of the region.
These rugs are absolutely unique. There are several various forms, but one of the most distinctive is the three-dimensional rug. These are made using three separate weaving styles: flat weaving, knotting, and embroidery. This generates a raised pattern.
They feature a variety of colors and resemble kilim rugs more than some of the heavier pile varieties.
One way to tell if you’re getting a real wool rug or a synthetic is to hold up a lighter to one of the loose edges. If it doesn’t light or put itself out its made of wool. If it ignites it’s synthetic.
In summary, Moroccan rugs and carpets embody centuries of craftsmanship and cultural heritage. While both feature vibrant colors and intricate geometric patterns, they differ in size and complexity. Moroccan rugs, typically smaller in size, serve versatile purposes as floor coverings, wall hangings, or even cozy blankets. On the other hand, Moroccan carpets are grandiose floor coverings, often adorning entire rooms with their elaborate designs.
Here's a table summarizing the key features of the discussed Moroccan rug types:
| Rug Type | Characteristics | Tribes | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beni Ourain | Minimalist, black and white, diamond-lattice patterns | Beni Ourain | Wool |
| Azilal | One-of-a-kind, abstract elements, henna, saffron, indigo hues | Ait Bouzid, Ait Shokmane, Ait Bou Oulli, Ait Bougmez | Dyed and undyed sheep’s wool |
| Boucherouite | Multihued, vibrant, exuberant designs | N/A | Scraps of readymade textiles (clothing, sheets) |
When we moved to Marrakech I realized I have a small obsession with Moroccan rugs. By small what I really mean is that I have a big problem. I just can’t resist them!
If your travels have you stopping in Marrakech you’ll find the souks are popping at the seams with rugs. The good news is I’ve been through the wringer and have more than a decade of rug experience behind me, so I am sharing from first-hand experience.
Buying a rug in Marrakech can be a really fun experience, but it also can be overwhelming.
The first rug I bought was nearly 20 years ago from a rug shop in Fez. I later learned I had paid WAY too much for this rug but what did I know? I was 19 and all I wanted was that rug. For a long time, it was the only “adult” thing I owned.
Here are a few cities where you can find Moroccan rugs:
- Fez: Fez is known for its traditional craftsmanship, and you can find high-quality rugs in the ancient medina’s souks.
- Marrakech
- Rabat: While not as touristy as Marrakech or Fez, Rabat still offers opportunities to buy rugs.
- Essaouira: This coastal city has a relaxed vibe and a burgeoning arts scene.
- Tangier: Tangier’s medina hosts several shops selling Moroccan rugs, including Berber styles.
- Atlas Mountains: For a more immersive experience, consider visiting rural areas in the Atlas Mountains, where Berber communities produce rugs using traditional methods.
How to Pick the Perfect Moroccan Rug
We picked Ben’s brain for tips on selecting, styling, and caring for these one-of-a-kind rugs.
Ben: We select our Moroccan rugs based on their design and quality. Each is truly a piece of art, and we think that buying a vintage Moroccan rug should be like choosing a painting. Quality of construction is extremely important.
You should be able to pick up the entire rug by grabbing one pile! That’s how strong these are, and that’s how you can tell the yarn is of the highest quality.
"You obviously don’t want to buy a rug that’s unraveling or falling apart, but minor imperfections aren’t dealbreakers in my eyes-it only adds to the patina, so to speak," says Ben. Make sure you buy from a reputable seller. Ultimately, I suggest you follow your heart when choosing a Moroccan rug. See what speaks to you, what moves you-they’re so unique and soulful that it’s really hard to offer rules beyond quality."
Here are some additional tips for selecting a Moroccan rug in Marrakech:
- Do not, I repeat DO NOT accept the price offered to you in the shop. There are some, but very few, shops that have fixed prices. Bargaining here is part of the game. The salesmen knows you aren’t (well you shouldn’t) accept his first offer. Many people are afraid of going too low. Fear not. You should eventually expect to meet somewhere around 50% of the original price. If you know you are already out of your league at 50% off the original price - move on.
There are some shops where bargaining is not on the table. They will be upfront and tell you this to begin with. If you’ve agreed on a price you really shouldn’t back out. When you finally do commit it’s in really bad form to then change your mind and walk away. Wait to agree completely until you are 100% sure.
For those people who find bargaining very uncomfortable, remember you’re not going to offend the salesperson, even if they act offended. You don’t have to be rude but also don’t be afraid to make a deal that works for BOTH of you.
- Love a rug? Don’t let the shopkeeper catch on to it or you’ve lost one of your biggest bargaining chips. Instead, act nonchalant. Even look at more rugs so that you can eventually come back to the one you really want. Also, don’t be afraid to walk away. But, if you appear very interested and just HAVE to have a specific rug the salesperson is not going to be as flexible with pricing.
- Sometimes it can get a little (ok a lot) overwhelming when you start looking at rugs. There are SO many to choose from that after a while they can all start to blend together. Have an idea of colors that you do or do not like. If for example you’ve seen a few orange rugs and hate them, let the vendor know you don’t want to see any more rugs with orange. Start by narrowing down the rugs you do like.
The vendor will pull out rug after rug and lay them on the floor. When you’ve reached a point where you’re not sure anymore stop them. Ask to remove the rugs you do not like and set the ones that are “maybe’s” to the side. Keep in mind that the rooms you are viewing the rug in is likely to be a lot bigger than the room the rug will go in at home.
Having open conversation and dialogue will not only help you find the rug that you want but will also help the vendor uncover which rug is the right fit.
- If you walk into a shop and are told a carpet is an antique Moroccan rug don’t automatically trust it, especially if you don’t know the difference. There is a whole industry of “aging” carpets that will be sold as antiques. If you really want to buy an antique you need to be sure to do your research, so you know what you’re getting. Chances are also pretty good you won’t find rugs here that date beyond the 1920’s or 1930’s.
Even in the best condition, they’ll have natural fade and the fabric will be frayed. Remember rugs are used for practical, not decorative purposes. If you don’t know what you’re buying and don’t have a lot of experience with antique rugs I would encourage you to be very careful.
Like with anything if you don’t know what you’re buying you can’t really judge the value of that item. For your purchase, you might consider something that you simply love vs.
- I could get lost in rug shops for hours and if you’re not sure what you want you should too. But, don’t ask for prices until you find something that you do like. If you’re in a shop and are having a hard time deciding set aside a variety of items that you do like and start asking prices. If you’re really unsure what rugs will cost go to a fixed-price shop first. There are typically artisan centers in larger cities. For example, the Ensemble Artisanal in Marrakech will have all varieties of artisan goods for a fixed price.
- If I had a quarter for every good-hearted tourist that has bought into this I would have my own rug shop. I get it, you want to help. You want to support the people making these rugs, who most of the time are women. The women are getting a pittance of the sale. You might say “oh it’s ok I’ll pay more because it will make a difference,” no I’m sorry but it likely will not. The women get a fixed price (trust me it’s not much) for their rugs and whether it sells for that price (not likely) or 100x more, they make the same amount.
People ask me this all the time and it’s impossible for me to answer this question. Age, style, design, condition etc. etc. are all variables. A small rug may only cost you 750-1000 dirham. However an average price ranges in the 3500-6000 dirham range. An older vintage Berber rug or larger sized rugs can range from 10,000-25,000 dirham and more.
If you’re planning to shop for a rug don’t go empty-handed. You will want to have an idea of the size of the rug you want or need. This is very important.
Keep in mind sizes are done in metric and most rugs are not made in the same dimensions as western rugs. You also should have some ideas of colors and designs that you like. A Pinterest search will pull up hundreds of different Moroccan rugs.
Familiarize yourself with some of the names of styles you like. Also, have an idea of your budget and what you want to spend.
It’s easier to pay for things with cash than a card as there’s often a surcharge for using a credit card. If this is the case make sure to work in the charge to your final price.
Shipping a rug from Morocco is possible and while you can handle this yourself by visiting the post office it can be a frustrating process that takes quite a bit of time. If you can work shipping into the deal with your rug it will be much easier for you.
If you’re wondering where to buy rugs in Marrakech, I haven’t visited every rug shop in the city, but I can recommend a fantastic one that takes the pressure and guesswork out of rug shopping.
Vintage Moroccan Carpets is the place to go. I met one of the owners during my shopping adventures, and I’m glad I did. First, if you want to deal with someone that is honest and straightforward forward you’ll find that.
They have ALL kinds of rugs at ALL price points. You can find lovely small rugs starting around $500 or you can find gorgeous vintage rugs that are the real thing and not just made to look vintage (though expect to pay more for older and larger rugs).
If you won’t be in Marrakech, they do online orders with guaranteed delivery (they’ll also ship your rug home if you’d rather). If you want a wider selection or are looking for something a bit more specific visit Les Nomades de Marrakech next door.
It’s one of the largest shops you’ll find in Marrakech and honestly, they really do believe in doing right by their customers.
It’s worth noting that not all rugs are “inexpensive” and that’s just a general rule. Many rugs take months to make and a lot of materials, this really has to be considered when you’re shopping.
Do not listen to anyone on the street that tells you they are closed (this goes for just about any shop or attraction in Marrakech) or not open, or anything of the like. Feel free to visit either or both of these shops on your own or with a guide.
The shop address of Vintage Carpets is 29 Zaouiat Lahdar Kaat, Benahid 40030 Marrakech - it’s very close to the Ben Youssef Mosque. The door to the shop is fire engine red so you can’t miss it! Hours are 10-18 daily. You can just turn up or you can schedule a time to visit (call at +05 24 38 18 45 in Morocco).
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