Berber Rug with Hourglass Design
A truly one-of-a-kind room size Moroccan rug, hand-knotted by Berber women from the M’rirt region, located in the heart of the Middle Atlas mountains. Rugs of this type were commissioned from the beginning of the 21st century in order to satisfy a demand for Moroccan carpets in larger sizes, since the vintage ones were still woven in traditional narrow formats. Examples of this type document the metamorphosis of the traditional tribal design tradition as it expands into wider formats, inviting weavers to show their interpretation of how to reorganise their signature patterns.
Here the weaver appears to make a statement about the ephemeral passage of time, depicting two abstracted triangular devices which point at each other against an ivory background, creating the impression of an hourglass in perpetual motion. The similarity between these irregular triangles with some of the Berber’s age-old motifs is probably the key in allowing her to perform such a brilliant depiction. M’rirt weavings are traditionally known for employing the best quality silky wool, adding an extra sparkle to the composition. A genuine Moroccan carpet woven with love that will surely be the perfect addition to many of our contemporary interiors.