ART OF VINTAGE SOUK
MOROCCAN RUGS AND KELIMS
Moroccan rugs and kelims are hand-crafted from the wool of sheep that can be found in the Middle Atlas Mountains, home to the indiginous Berber people. Traditional, symbolic designs were passed from one generation to the next, and each rug is unique....an authentic piece of folk art, which reflects the personality of the women who make them. These rugs are rooted in the culture and landscape that produced them, and most are vintage pieces, Moroccan rugs and kelims will add colour and texture to your home for a modern, eclectic, style.
MOROCCAN CUSHIONS
Moroccan kelim cushions are hand woven using the traditional designs of the Berber people. Each cushion is a work of art, and unique in style and appearance using fine intricate geometric designs with mixed flat woven patterns and sometimes a knotted pile. Most vintage cushions were woven individually in one piece, changing the pattern in the middle to create the design for the other side. The cushions were then stiched at the sides, and filled with wool, straw, or paper.
More modern kelim cushions often add sequins and fringing into the designs.
These lovely cushions will add beauty and eclectic charm to your home.
MOROCCAN BLANKETS AND TEXTILES
Moroccan blankets and textiles are unique, traditionally handwoven, and some embroidered, using richly coloured natural dyes, and symbolic designs. These blankets are mostly worn as shawls by the nomadic Amazigh (Berber) women to give warmth or often used in the Berber tents either on the floors or on the walls. Some of the most beautiful blankets are woven from undyed natural wool in soft tones of light and dark creams and browns which come from different types of sheep. Others are made from cotton using a mix of vibrant colour and woven into stripes or checks.
These amazing textiles can be used in the home to add texture and colour, mixing and layering patterns and stripes to create a modern ethnic, bohemian style.
MOROCCAN JEWELLERY
Moroccan jewellery can be found in abundance in the souks of Marrakech, but further south, in Tiznit, you can find artisans working to create much of the jewellery that ends up in the souks. Jewellery is brought in from many areas of Morocco to sell to tourists.
But traditionally the Tuareg used the word "azrouf" for both silver and money. in the desert areas. Nomad women wore their wealth, in the form of pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, anklets and decorative headwear. Rings and crosses were threaded on to leather and worn as a necklaces, and used when money was needed. Now most artisans are to be found in the towns and cities, in cooperatives. Tuareg jewellery is now used by fashion designers for photo shoots, and ethnic, boho chic is in vogue.
INDIAN TEXTILES
Kantha/Gudri
Kantha stitching was always a traditional and simple form of reusing beautiful old sari borders and soft dhotis (men’s clothes) were stitched inside the layers. Several revivals of kantha embroidery and quilt making have occurred in India and Bangladesh over the years, which has recreated this ancient domestic tradition and helped women secure a livelihood through stitching.
Kantha or gudri also refers to the indigenous quilt layering and to the running stitch itself, which gives the cloth the soft wrinkly appearance that is characteristic of kantha. It is just a simple running stitch that holds the layers of recycled silk or cotton cloth together to form kantha blankets, scarves and shawls.
Banjara and Rabari tribes of Rajasthan and Gujurat
Banjara embroidery uses a combination of stitches and patchwork, with mirror work and other embellishments. The Tribal Banjari women use coins, shells, buttons, cowries and small pieces of mirrors to decorate their bright and colourful costumes,. The motifs are mainly geometrical with grid like patterns. This wonderful artwork is also used in a variety of products like cushion covers, bedcovers, wall hangings, and accessories like bags, headbands and belts.
Similar to Banjara work, the Rabari tribal embroidery tradition with its rich designs is created normally by women and generally done on fabrics of cotton, using cotton or silk threads to decorate. Various types of stitches used and the colourful embroidery sparkles when small mirrors are added. This work is used in costumes, wall hangings, cushions and accessories.
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