Berber rugs get their name from the Berber society that encompasses a variety of tribes, many of which live in Morocco. Berber members are recognized worldwide for their craftsmanship. This skill shows especially in their handwoven rugs that are made from the wool of sheep.
Berber rugs feature natural ivory and white tones, intertwined with naturally dyed darker colors in hues of saffron, madder root, indigo, and henna to create a blend of contemporary and traditional styling. This ensures their versatility with most design styles and color schemes of homes all around the world. In Berber culture, blue represents wisdom, green stands for peace, yellow denotes eternity, and red symbolizes protection and strength.
Moroccan Berber rugs date back to the Paleolithic Age. They were crafted to suit a specific purpose because their function reflected the different climates of the region. Weavers in the windy areas of the Atlas Mountains created thick bed coverings and sleeping mats. Tribes from the Sahara used light, flat-weave shawls to protect against the brutal heat. Since the tribes were semi-nomadic, sizes varied because the carpets and looms were transported between camps. That’s why the coverings were less than 7 feet long.
In time, the weavers started to incorporate esthetic features into the practical designs. Each motif along the way was combined by tribal women to create a symbolic language that was passed down to future generations. The geometric designs included symbols for male protection, femininity and spirituality. The way they were combined told a weaver’s personal story. Additionally, the rugs didn’t just protect the human body from the effects of weather, but also carried the weaver’s intent to shield the spirit from undesirable energy.
Aside from the magic symbolism of traditional Berber creations, the combination of craftsmanship, minimalism, bold ingenuity and quiet restraint caught the eye of mid-century modernists in the 1930s. Renowned architects and designers began utilizing these plush, soft accent pieces in their homes’ interiors to counterbalance the severe lines of sleekly designed furniture. Frank Lloyd Wright was especially fond of Beni Ourain carpets and made frequent trips to Morocco to bring them back for his clients and his home.
Beni Ourain is the name of one of the Berber tribes from the Atlas Mountains. Their namesake rugs feature monochromatic black and white designs. Traditional Beni Ourain carpets are known for their excellent quality because they are made from the superb wool that comes from Atlas Mountain sheep.
Beni Ourain designs usually consist of black and brown lines, or abstract shapes on a white or cream background. Some include symbols from the ancient Berber alphabet that look similar to Navajo patterns. These rugs come with and without fringes, but most designs don’t have a border.
Whether you opt for a Beni Ourain or a different Berber rug, modern designs still use the same markings and pictographs from the distant past. Just like the vintage pieces, the contemporary ones are characterized by distinct knots. However, they usually have a light background and small specks of dark color. You can also get these in plain color combinations without patterns.
