One-of-a-kind vintage rug, hand-knotted by Zemmour tribes west of the Middle Atlas mountains of Morocco

Dimensions: 5’9″ x 8’6″ (175 cm x 260 cm)

Hilta has been professionally cleaned; age-related wear and natural inconsistencies are inherent in these unique, handcrafted vintage rugs

One-of-a-kind vintage rug, hand-knotted by Zemmour tribes west of the Middle Atlas mountains of Morocco

Hilta has been professionally cleaned; age-related wear and natural inconsistencies are inherent in these unique, handcrafted vintage rugs

Motifs

• Moroccan rugs dont come with a key. As with any painting or poem, their motifs have many subjective interpretations. Originally made for personal use, these rugs took months to weave, documenting a shifting tide of events and emotions in the weavers life
• A central medallion anchors the motif to a center focal point from which the design blooms out and is balanced by complementary design elements
• A geometric, step-like pattern which expresses the primitive, artisanal qualities of weaving from nomadic cultures

Region of Origin

A confederation of tribes whose territory sat between Rabat and Mekns, the Zemmour wove piled rugs which tended to be smaller than most Middle Atlas rugs. These pieces often combine vertical and horiziontal rows of motifs into a chessboard design, or feature diamond and triangular arrangements. Red is frequently used for the ground or the selvedge.

Material Details

Wool, a staple in Moroccan rug design, was considered almost sacred to the Amazigh (Berber) people, whose nomadic lifestyle included sheep and goat herding. In addition to being available, wool is durable, long-lasting, and softso its super comfy to walk and relax on. In this piece, the wool pile is knotted onto a wool foundation, adding body and helping it hug the floor.

Moroccan wool is locally sourced and produces a thick, strong pile that feels soft underfoot. Having stood the test of time, this hand-processed wool has reacted to its various environments, acquiring an untamed, nubby look and feel. You may find traces of dried hay, grass, or straw in your rug as grazing sheep often collect plant matter in their coats. Remove gently by hand or with tweezers. Please note that when wool gets damp, it will smell like a wet sheep. This is the scent of lanolin, which acts as a waxy barrier against dirt and moisture.

• Dust and dirt that accumulate in your rug can erode the fibers over time. The best way to combat this is to take your rug outside and give it a good shake once a week. Depending on how large it is, you may need to recruit a friend to help. Also, be sure to get a rug padthis helps to preserve your rug in spite of dirt.
• If shaking it out isnt possible, you can vacuum it insteadjust be cautious, and dont use a rotary vacuum, because it can damage the fibers. Once or twice a month, vacuum on low power with a non-rotary (no spinning brush) vacuum or suction attachment only, moving gently from side to side. Once or twice a year, flip your rug over and vacuum the back.
• Once a year, let it sunbathe. Hang it in the sun for a few hours when its hottest, and flip it over midway through, to expose both sides to direct sunlight. This sun-bleaching helps further sanitize the wool. Its a natural method to bleach and deodorize it.
• To ensure equal wear and protect against walk patterns, change your rug’s direction periodically. You can also flip your rug upside-down once in awhile, and use it like that for a bit. With Moroccan rugs, the back is typically as nice as the front.
• Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed with a Moroccan rug expert. Please do not take it to get steam or dry cleanedthis will almost certainly damage the rug! Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
• In case of spills:
  • If the spill is organic and non-oily (e.g., wine), use a paper towel or cloth to blot the liquid. Add some clean water sparingly to the spot to dilute the stain (or wet a paper towel or cloth) and blot. Repeat this process until the stain is removed.
  • If the stain is persistent, resist the urge to scrub. Scrubbing can damage the wool fibers and more easily allow the stain to penetrate. You may try using a mild detergent, such as very diluted dishwashing soap, following the same blot-and-rinse procedure.
  • If the spill is a denser, more oily liquid, try first to scoop what you can from the surface using a spoon or perhaps some heavier paper, and then do the blot-and-rinse. If the spill is significant, non-organic and/or composed of chemical substances, or the above methods dont work, we suggest getting the rug professionally hand-washed as soon as possible.
  • For rugs with deeply saturated color palettes, be sure to spot-clean them in an area that can be hosed down immediately after, as some color bleeding may occur.