Vintage Oversize Mauritanian Sahara Tuareg Rug
This rare, oversized vintage Mauritanian Sahara Tuareg rug showcases a striking quincunxial pattern. A large central reserve with a stepped outline dominates the design, while four quartered motifs flank its corners. Within the central reserve, cruciform devices reflect the ancient symbology of the Tuareg people. Finely embroidered leather, touched with polychrome shades of green, adds an element of preciousness to the pattern.
Tuareg carpets, created by cattle-herding nomads of the vast Sahara desert, have emerged as one of the most exciting groups of weavings on the market. These artisans craft their rugs using an innovative technique: they bind fine straw reeds from the panicum turgidum plant with camel leather strips. To enhance the pattern’s intricacy, they often embellish the leather with light green and yellow pigments.
Known as “eseber” to Tuareg nomads, these large mats serve dual purposes as tent screens and dividers. In her 1995 book “African Nomadic Architecture,” Labelle Prussin emphasizes their importance. She describes these mats as crucial in defining interior spaces rich with color, texture, memory, and meaning.
The designs draw heavily from Tuareg iconography. Star and cross-like motifs alternate with geometric, totemic figures of an abstract nature. This unique style echoes elements found in other forms of African art, creating a distinctive visual language.
Through their materials, techniques, and designs, Tuareg rugs offer a fascinating glimpse into nomadic culture and artistry. Their appearance on the market has sparked excitement among collectors and enthusiasts alike.