Vintage Beni Ouarain Berber Rug
The Beni Ouarain confederation is composed of seventeen tribes inhabiting the high mountain region of the northeastern Middle Atlas. Their rugs differ from other Berber weavings in that they are woven almost exclusively on an ivory background and decorated with abstract geometric motifs in undyed natural brown/black wool. The pattern is typically composed of an all-over grid of lozenges with little or no variation. The present example shows an extremely unusual design composed of two concentric squarish elements containing a small diamond on a plain ivory field. The relatively small format makes this piece extremely desirable as most Beni Ouarain rugs have the same width but are 12 to 15 feet long. A truly great example of Berber textile art that is both collectible as well as decorative.