Bargain Hunter's Corner
If your pocketbook doesn't allow you to purchase something above right now, perhaps you can find something in the smaller and newer rugs below, or the pillows (some older) or jewelry that follow. There are also reproductions of antique travel posters for $30 on my regular web site, in the Shop under Souvenirs. All prices include shipping in the US, and ordering instructions are at the end of these pages.
Piece 9.0533D is a small rug from the Khemisset area of north central Morocco, also called a Zemmour rug. It's a true bright red that I find really cheery, with the characteristic black, white and gold designs, which you can see better in this close-up. It measures 2' x 3'5' (61 x 104 cm) and costs $70.
Piece 5.15429 is made in the style of a woman's cape from the Beni Ouarain area east of Fes in north central Morocco. The photo here is from a close-up, since all the detail would not show well in a small picture. You can click it to see the whole piece, and click here to see the close-up enlarged. Although it may appear a simple black and white piece, notice the variation in the rows, so only two are repeated. There is also a subtle bit of color in the maroon lines that border the white rows. The back has some fringe that gives it extra warmthI would use this piece on the floor in a low wear area like a bedroom, or as a throw. The size is 3' x 5'9" (91 x 175 cm) and the price is $185.
Piece 9.0573D briefly convinced a knowledgable friend of mine that it was Navajo, but in fact it's from Oaxaca Mexico. Nevertheless I like the natural gray brown and the rich red, and the abrash or change in the colors that marks some handwoven rugs. It's a nice, sturdy piece which you can perhaps tell from this close-up. It measuresabout 2'7" x 4'9" (79 x 145 cm) and costs $85.
Piece 9.0542D is a small flatweave rug in neutral colors that looks like a Navajo but was made in Mexico, where I bought it about 5 years ago in Oaxaca. I like the irregularity of the central design. This close-up shows the colors better. The size is about 2'6" x 4'7" (76 x 140 cm) and the price is $85.
Piece 9.6669 also has a bit of Native American feeling, but it is from southern
Morocco and called a "tilwa" or picture rug, probably because each
square section reminds the weaver of a separate picture. The basic color is
a rich burnt orange, with blue green embroidery in some squares and a pile pattern
in alternate squares. (The dark areas are shadows.) The pile contains many colors,
including sage green, a very deep maroon, natural white, the burnt orange, blue
green, soft gold and a denim blue. These colors are also seen in tiny dots in
the white pile border that separates the squares. You can see them best in this
close-up. It measures 2' x 3'7" (61
x 109 cm) and costs $140.
Piece 9.5247 takes us out of Morocco, to Mars Matrouh on the Mediterranean in
eastern Egypt. It is a very sturdy flatweave rug made of four Bedouin
tent flaps sewn together; it was new when I bought it there in 1968. The uneven
ends call attention to its tent-flap origin and make it fun to explain to guests.
On the close-up you can see that the red is very
rich, accented by the gold and black. This would be great for under a dining
room table; chair legs and crumbs won't harm it. It measures about 6' x 10'
(183 x 305 cm) and costs $550.
Pillows
Pillows are a good way to get a sampling of Moroccan weaving. They often have different designs on the front and back, and are more affordable than rugs. I stuff them with polyfill from a fabric store; you need to be sure to get it into the corners.
Piece 9.5366 is an older piece with a complex design. Look carefully at it and
you will see five panels: a central one with two large diamonds, two panels
with smaller diamonds alongside them, and end panels with a zig-zag line filled
with small diamonds. Actually it looks like one panel on the right, but two
on the left, where the last row of diamonds doesn't quite line up. I love the
way you can look at these for hours and find new things; I just saw that. And
the women weave them with no paper patterns; it's all in their heads. You fill
the pillows through a hole on one side; here it is on the top, and you see two
little pink buttons used to close it. The white tufts previously held sequins
but now most are gone. You can see the colors and sequins better in this close-up.
The back is simpler, in plain red with a thin
orange stripe. This pillow measures 16.5 x 21.5 inches (42 x 54 cm) and costs
$80.
Piece 9.5362 is actually two pillows, with A on the left and B on the right.
Notice the similarity of piece A to the pillow above. At first I thought they
were the same, and while the colors are, there are subtle differences. This
one has three large central diamonds, then medium diamonds at each end. Maybe
the one above was made first and the weaver decided the end zig-zags were too
difficult! This too is decorated with sequins, more visible on the close-up.
The back is also similar in red, but not
the same. I'm quite sure they were made by the same weaver, differing like variations
on a theme in music. Pillow A is 14" x 21" (35 x 53 cm) and costs
$80.
Pillow B is also older, but while the weaving is complicated, the design is not. The diamonds are outlined in a muted purple, with dark red and dark greeen central diamonds, seen clearly on the close-up. You also see there small pink knots, which are where sequins were originally attached; I think they still make a nice addition. The back on this one is quite different. It measures 16" x 21" (41 x 53 cm) and costs $80.
Piece 9.5344 is older and very finely woven, which you can see best on the close-up. This too had sequins that were sewn on with the white tufts that remain. I like to leave them as a reminder of the original, but you can take them off without harming the structure of the fabric. This color combination of red, yellow and green is unusual, as are the designs on the end; I have not seen the multicolored "Xs" before. The back is plain red, and has two holes. The size of this piece is 14" x 17" (35 x 43 cm) and the price is $80.
Piece 9.5351 is new and has the sequins still intact. You can see the way they are used to outline the diamonds in the close-up. In fact this uses the same colors as the pillow above, but in a very different design. The back is simple black. It measures 13.5" x 20.5" (34 x 52 cm) and costs $80.
Piece 9.5371 is also new and has even more sequins. It was made by Fatima Ouzri, a woman in Ben Smim in north central Morocco, one of the villages where I work with women to sell their rugs on the Internet. It has a diamond design like the pillow above, but executed in a more complex way. It might be interesting for a weaver here to have both pieces, to illustrate how much can be done with similar geometric elements. The close-up shows the details of the design, including the complicated pattern in the center of each diamond. The back too is interesting, with simple red and white diamonds scattered on a black ground. The size is 13.5" x 22" (34 x 56 cm) and the price is $80.
Jewelry
All the pieces below are silver, but not the highest percent, which they call 900 in Morocco; these are 800. I have multiple pairs of some of the earrings below. All prices include shipping, with a $5 discount on each additional pair of earrings or pendant sent to the same address.
To order these earrings, refer to a letter. They are arranged clockwise with the furthest left pair starting as A.
The next pair B are sold out.
C on the upper right has a small black stone in the center,
D is plain on both sides and
E is tiny and would be nice for a child.
Each pair is $25 including shipping.
These earrings are replicas of fibulas, or the pins some women use to fasten their traditional cloaks; the Romans used to use the same thing. The price is $25.
The top earrings here have inlaid ebony, and are of a Tuareg design from southern Morocco. I have one pair left and it is almost identical, except the triangle under the open circle is instead a horizontal bar that extends to each side a bit more. You can see them in a photo below.
The bottom earrings are discs with circles etched in them.
Each pair is $30.
On the left are more khamisa or hand of Fatima earrings. The first one is single, with a "diamond" in the center. The central pair are cut out, and I have several pairs of these.
On the right is a design called the Southern Cross, after a constellation seen in the southern sky.
Each pair costs $25.
The earrings on the right are the pair I have in stock, very similar to those shown in larger format above. The black is inlaid ebony, and they are of a Tuareg design from southern Morocco. This pair has some dots on the back that are said to be Berber script. They cost $30.
Khamisas A
The lower khamisa has half a flower on the top section and costs $35.
The upper khamisa is larger and heavier, with filigree between the larger silver
outlines.
The price is $45.
Khamisas B
I have two pendants, but not the center one. They are both called khamisas or hands of Fatima. The one on the right is cut out and costs $30.
The one on the left is more shiny than it looks here, and costs $35.
Khamisas C
These khamisas show the variety of ways in which they - and women's hands using henna, which they represent - can be decorated. Refer to the right or left one and khamisas C when you order.
Each is $35.
And now for something quite different. These pendants are made of fossils which are found on the edge of the Sahara in southeastern Morocco and said to be 400 million years old, if I recall correctly. They are strung on fabric cords and mounted with rough wires, but still very attractive (and you could replace the wire). The dark cord makes them wearable by either sex. All are polished and plain on the back, except the lower right heart (the lower left is a heart shape too), which has the fossil visible on both sides. The two on the left are on a brownish yellow material, the upper right is black and the lower right has a pinkish cast. Each costs $40.
To Order
To order something from Marrakesh Express, click here. Please do NOT send payment until I have assured you via return email that it is available, since sometimes things sell quickly.
Because it's difficult to fully appreciate a piece without seeing it and how it fits into your own setting, refunds (less the cost of mailing and handling) are guaranteed for pieces that I have here in the US which are returned in their original condition .
If you want to have me shop for you for specific items, or have any questions, send me e-mail at sdavis@uslink.net .
Copyright © Susan S. Davis 1997- 2009. All rights reserved.
