Vintage Moroccan Kilim Rug: Berber Pictorial Art, Handwoven Wool (4'9" x 2'5")

Bring story and soul to your space with this vintage Moroccan pictorial kilim from the southern High Atlas/Taznakht area. Hand-woven in tapestry (kilim) technique, the scene shows a family by a river with trees, rocks and birds—an affectionate snapshot of village life. The undyed browns, sand, clay, olive and soft slate tones sit beautifully in calm, neutral interiors while the graphic figures add a dose of folk art charm.

Weaving tradition: Berber kilim tapestry from the Taznakht / Aït Ouaouzguite region of Morocco. The design and construction match mid-20th-century tourist-period pictorial weavings made for wall display.

Knot structure: No pile; this is a weft-faced slit-tapestry (kilim). Color areas meet in vertical “slits,” visible in the close-ups around figures and rocks.

Regional origin indicators:

Earthen palette of undyed browns, beige, camel and grey with muted pastel highlights.

Simplified human figures with embroidered features, birds, stepped rock forms, and leafy trees—motifs common in High-Atlas pictorials.

Braided/twisted warp fringes at both ends and overcast selvedges typical of Moroccan flatweaves.

Age estimate: c. 1970s–1980s. The wool sheen, light abrash, slight age toning of the field, and period dyes support this dating.

Maker’s marks: No signature (typical for village work); distinctive regional character is the narrative scene with naive figures and landscape bands.

Pile & handle: Flat and supple; medium-firm handle. Thickness ~3–4 mm.

Materials: Hand-spun (and some mill-spun) wool weft on cotton/wool mixed warp (cream fringes read as cotton). Dyes are a mix of undyed natural browns and stable mid-century synthetics.

Pattern & cultural context

Motifs: Family group, river, birds in flight, trees and mountains. In Amazigh (Berber) storytelling textiles, water = life and renewal; trees = shelter and fertility; birds = freedom and good fortune; the gathering of people signals community and hospitality.

Layout (naqsha): Horizontal landscape bands with a central narrative register; open “sky” at top creates depth. There is no separate border—typical of Moroccan pictorial kilims—so the scene flows to the selvedge for a mural-like effect.

Features:

Dimensions (actual): 145 cm x 74 cm (approximately 57.1" x 29.1").

Weave density: kilim tapestry ~ 22–28 picks per inch (ppi) estimated from macro photos.

Construction: hand-woven flatweave/slit-tapestry; braided warp fringes; overcast side selvedges.

Time to weave: roughly 2–3 weeks for one artisan at this size/complexity.

Condition: Good vintage with honest age. Notes from inspection: light overall toning; scattered minor abrash; small stitched/reinforced area near one corner and along a fringe end (see close-ups); edges sound; fringe complete with a few shortened tassels. Clean, odor-free, ready to use or hang.

Styling & use

Perfect as a wall hanging (gallery rail, sleeve, or Velcro bar), a decorative entry or hall runner, or layered over a larger natural-fiber rug.

Works with boho, wabi-sabi, Japandi, mid-century, desert modern and organic modern interiors thanks to its quiet, earthy palette.

Authentic hand-woven Moroccan Berber kilim (not machine-made)

Pictorial folk art scene with people, trees, birds & river

Calm neutral desert palette with subtle abrash

Lightweight and easy to hang

One-of-a-kind vintage textile with cultural storytelling

Care instructions

Vacuum with low suction or a soft brush; avoid beater bars.

Use a rug pad on floors to prevent movement and reduce wear.

For wall display, mount with a sewn cotton sleeve or Velcro strip on a batten; avoid clip hangers on the tapestry body.

Rotate occasionally away from direct sunlight to preserve color.

Spot clean with cool water and a tiny amount of wool-safe soap; do not soak. Professional hand cleaning by a kilim specialist when needed.




This hand-woven kilim carries the warmth of Atlas mountain craft and the simple joy of village life. Add it to your wall or floor and let the scene quietly unfold in your home.