How To Buy A Moroccan Or Other Exotic Rug : eBay Guides

MOROCCAN RUGS

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Moroccan rugs have been around for centuries.  However, they may be one of the best kept secrets in North America!  Although Morocco is known for many different and unique works of art, Moroccan rugs may just be one of the best.  Crafting and handiwork accentuate all Moroccan art treasures.  The work is intricate, beautifully finished and full of symbolism.

When looking at Moroccan rugs, there is only one rug with a better reputation - the Persian rug.  When comparing quality, Moroccan and Persian rugs are quite similar.  The big difference is PRICE.  High quality Persian rugs made from wool and silk sell for thousands of dollars a square meter.  Rugs from Pakistan, India and other Middle Eastern countries (and now China) typically manufacture carpets of much less quality.  That is why the prices are cheaper.  Do not be fooled by the $100-200 rugs you see on eBay.  There really is a HUGE difference.

Moroccan rugs are hand made and can take months to make.  Rarely claiming any credit for her artistry is the modest Moroccan carpetmaker.  The carpet remains one of the most authentic expressions of folk art in Morocco.  The carpet makers in Morocco are traditionally women.  Recently, there is becoming a huge demand for skilled carpet makers.  Many women are using this time-honored skill to garner financial independence as they make this a career.  A skilled carpet maker puts her entire heart and soul  into her creations.  Many of the designs tell a story - of her problems, misfortunes, passions, and aspirations.

The Moroccan carpet maker has historically chosen her decorative elements, motifs, and colors.  Although in the past, the carpet maker rarely worked from pre-determined designs and patterns, the more modern carpets of Rabat do come from carefully chosen designs.  This makes it much easier to get exactly the carpet you desire.  If you find a design you like, you can have a carpet custom made to your particular size and color needs.  And it is always amazing when one sees crudely written design notes on a heavily used piece of paper attached somewhere on the carpet making machine!

If in the past carpets were produced exclusively by mountain dwellers, today their production as both functional and art objects are found around both the cities and remote villages of Morocco.  Carpet cooperatives are a relatively recent development in Morocco.  They encourage the production of the classic designs, promote the trade, and encourage artistic creativity.

In terms of both their organization and goals, carpet cooperatives contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic condition of their artisans and Morocco.  For this reason, the carpet cooperatives have become the places where the carpet maker can most successfully affirm herself in her career.

The evaluation of a carpet is largely a matter of personal and independent judgement.  The choice of a carpet is both a rational and emotional process, for the work of one artisan is never really comparable to that of another.  The technical quality of Moroccan carpet is determined by the number of knots to the square meter, the nature of the raw materials, and the delicacy and combination of colors.  Together these variables determine the price of a Moroccan carpet.

There is a wide range of styles for Moroccan carpets.  Recently, they have been classified into two groups with each group having standard requirements to determine the quality and price of the carpet.  The two large groups are the Urban carpet and the Rural carpet.

THE URBAN CARPET

The Urban carpet has two sub-categories.  Although these sub-categories are of the same origin, each type has achieved its special identity over the years.  Both types can be classified as fine quality carpets. Of purely Eastern-Arabo-Persian origin, each has undergone profound transformation and taken on its own stamp.  New designs and juxtapositions of colors have been added to enrich a very diverse 'language'.  Except for extra high quality carpet, which is 100 percent wool, these carpets are made of wool knotted on a warp and weft of cotton yarn.

THE RABAT RBATI CARPET - PRONOUNCED RA-BA-TEE

One of the Urban carpet sub-categories is called the Rabat or Rbati carpet.  Introduced by the Gharnatis, who were expelled from Andalusia, these rugs reflect that region in their floral and animal motifs.  The Rbati carpet is identified by its wide ornate border around a rather free red central field containing either a medallion and grain motifs or a large cartouche, called the Koubba.  The execution and selection of colors are carried out with particular care.  The average size of these carpets is three meters high by two meters wide, although custom sizes can be ordered.

THE MEDIOUNA CARPET - PRONOUNCED MED-E-OO-NA

The second sub-category of the Urban carpet is the Mediouna.  Also of Eastern origin, this rug is noted for the attention given to its central field; however, unlike the Rbati carpet, the Mediouna carpet often contains several medallions, leaving very little room for the border.  The average size of these carpets are 2.12 meters high by 1.7 meters wide, although custom sizes can be ordered.

QUALITY VERSUS PRICE

Both Urban carpet varieties are judged the same relative to quality and price.  There are typically four quality standards:

• Standard
• Medium
• High
• Extra High

Few carpet cooperatives offer the Medium quality as it is so similar to the Standard quality.

• The Standard Quality, also known as Moyen Atlas, uses a wool/cotton blend yarn, has approximately 20,000 knots per square meter, and has the lesser-defined "crispness" in its design motifs. 
• The High Quality uses a better quality of wool/cotton blend yarn, has approximately 90,000 knots per square meter, and has more defined "crispness" in its design motifs.
• The Extra High Quality uses wonderful wool, has approximately 160,000 knots per square meter, and has stunning design motifs.

THE RURAL OR TRADITIONAL RUG

ALSO KNOWN AS THE SAHARAN OR BERBER RUG

There are major differences between the Urban and Rural rugs.  Where the Urban rug has a stiff backing, the Rural rug has no backing.  The back of the rug shows the intricate weaving and knotting. The other major difference is the more tribal look and the generous use of colors.

Keep in mind that many colors, such as blue, are not native to traditional rugs.  Because supply and demand have impacted these artisans, they are supplying rugs in colors that may not wash well or last for years. 

There are also differences between Northern Moroccan and Southern Moroccan rugs and the villages from which they come.  While the Saharan rugs are the most popular and more expensive, the Berber rugs are also beautiful.

Don't look for perfection when purchasing a Rural rug - you won't get it!  However, that is one of the charms of this type of rug.  Many rugs actually tell a story. 

SUMMARY

The art of weaving textiles has been passed down from generation to generation for years.  The best textiles and designs are produced by the dominant tribe of Morocco called the Berbers.  But keep in mind there are five distinct Berber tribes, all with their own language.  History says these people have inhabited Morocco from the beginning of time.

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