Moroccan Rugs

212-585-1900

The history of Moroccan rugs, as well as Moroccan textile weaving in general, is closely tied to the history of the nomadic Berber tribes of the region. The Berber tribes, who call themselves the Amazigh ("free people"), have a tradition of using that which is readily available to them to create their Moroccan rugs. They raise their own sheep and goats, giving them an endless supply of wool and goat hair with which to weave their Moroccan rugs. They dye their Moroccan rugs using natural dyes created from plants and insects available in the region. The Berber tribes of today live much as their ancestors did, and continue to create beautiful and impressive Moroccan rugs just as their ancestors did. While Morocco's urban areas also create their own brand of Moroccan rugs, those rugs are heavily influenced by outside rug-making traditions, lacking a true history of their own. The Moroccan rugs created by the Berber tribes, however, are unique creations untouched by outside influences.

Because Moroccan rugs are woven by members of distinct tribes from many different regions of Morocco, they are very diverse both in the motifs and colors used. However, Moroccan rugs do share some important characteristics regardless of which tribe created them. Almost all Moroccan rugs are easily identified both by the boldness of the colors used and the energy and liveliness of the patterns. Although most of the motifs would appear to be geometric shapes to an outsider, each of those motifs is actually a symbol with meaning in the tribe's ceremonial and everyday life. The motifs and colors used are particular to each tribe, accounting for much of the variation that can be seen in Moroccan rugs. In addition, while individual Moroccan rug weavers use the motifs and colors associated with their own tribes, they do not create their rugs based on a predetermined pattern. A great deal of individual creativity goes into the making of each Moroccan rug, meaning that every single Moroccan rug is truly a unique creation.

While these beautiful Moroccan rugs have been produced by the Berber tribes for centuries untold, it wasn't until the 20th century that Moroccan rugs came to be appreciated by Western rug collectors. Some of this appreciation came about because of the similarities between modern design and the tribal designs of Moroccan rugs. The bold colors and patterns of Moroccan rugs have a great deal in common with abstract art and design. This has made them surprisingly compatible with modern home furnishings, and some Moroccan rugs have even found their way into famous modern historic homes such as Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. More importantly, Moroccan rugs manage to complement modern home decor while retaining the unique characteristics of a hand-woven tribal rug, giving them a human touch lacking in manufactured rugs.

At Oriental Rug Care NY, we appreciate the beauty and one-of-a-kind nature of each and every Moroccan rug. We have studied the techniques used to weave and dye Moroccan rugs to help us determine the very best methods to clean, repair, and restore them. If you are the proud owner of a Moroccan rug, then there is only one choice for all your Moroccan rug care needs. The Moroccan rug care experts at Oriental Rug Care NY will take great care with your priceless work of art from the moment we pick it up to the moment we lay it back on your floor. If you have a Moroccan rug, look no further than Oriental Rug Care NY for all your Moroccan rug cleaning and restoration needs.