This kilim was designed and constructed by the Berber People of the Kingdom of Morocco. It is woven with a classic, “Berber Knot,” and features an extremely high thread count. Stylistically, rather than the flora and arabesque-like designs characteristic of neighboring textile traditions, Berber rug patterns are “exclusively in straight lines, illustrating simple, geometric forms such as triangles, rectangles, zig-zags, stars and crosses…” (Barbatti 2008). In this piece, there are diagonal shapes that lead the eye outward into a limitless space. The process of stylizing and preserving the form of such textiles require a deep knowledge of craft as transmitted via oral tradition through centuries in Berber culture.

REFERENCES:

Barbatti, Bruno. 2008. Berber Carpets of Morocco: The Symbols Origin and Meaning. Paris: ACR Edition.