Moroccan Kilim Glaoui Rug - 290 x 140 cm

Glaoui rugs come from glaoua (glawa), a region lost in the heart of the high atlas mountains, near marrakech. The glaoua mountain is sumptuous and devoid of forests. However, its austerity, wild beauty, and bareness give it a wild grandeur. The chleuh call it "adrar n'deren, " which means mountain. There, the arid, humid, and cold mountains are covered in snow for part of the year. The berbers still cling to them, taking advantage of the little land that remains, the deep valleys, and the rivers. These rugs are handmade and represent a unique style. They combine all the arts of rug weaving. They are woven, knotted, and embroidered with natural wool. Clearly, glaoui weavings are precious pieces of art, testifying to the know-how and talent of our craftswomen. Their value increases over time, making them a precious heritage to be preserved. For berber women, the art of weaving is not just an ordinary domestic activity: it allows them to express their feelings and emotions, and everything they cannot express verbally. In general, the artistic composition of the rugs uses simple patterns, but all of them carry meaning: the zigzag, a means of transportation, also represents water, a source of contact. The scarab is the symbol of protection against the evil eye. The teapot refers to the welcome and conviviality dear to the villagers. Butterflies, flowers, or stars symbolize feminine beauty. Twigs evoke plants and the tree of life. The palm tree and the camel evoke the suffering and patience of the berber woman. The "takhlalt" fibula is an accessory that evokes femininity and beauty, just like tattoo designs.