M’rirt’s Protective Vintage Flatweave

Description

This rugwaswovenby a group of artisans who reside in avillagejust outside of Beni M’rirt.Keltouma and her daughter Soukina lead this group of 25 artisans from a Village just outside Beni M’rirt, in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Founded in the early 2000s, the collective makes medium to high hand-knot rugs, a style named after the region as well as an adaption of the Zanafi weaving technique.

The origins of the Zanafi weaving technique come from the High Atlas Mountains. This technique requires the highest level of skill and concentration. Each row is created with an intricate system of counting.

While themore traditional Zanafis made in the Southeast create a reversible design theadapted technique by the weavers of the Middle Atlas Mountainsare made with the design only facing one side.

This vintage Zanafi was made around15years ago. The repetitive design motifs represent a variety of Amazigh symbols that are thought to represent protection from evil.
–technical details
Size: 6′-1″ x 9′-11″ (1.86 x3.03 m)
Rug Style: M’rirt Zanafi
Pile:Flat
Materials:100% “live” wool; undyed