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 a highly articulated version of the traditional design, which is punctuated by a rare shade of light orange in some of its details. The very fine knot density, resulting in a very crisp rendition of the pattern, is characteristic of the master weaves, which are the highest quality weavings of a tribe and which are typically carried out by very experienced and proficient female weavers.