Vintage Moroccan Kilim: Handwoven Wool Oasis Scene Tapestry

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Sourced one-by-one and authenticated by a professional rug specialist, this charming small kilim brings the story of North African oasis life into your home. It’s an original, hand-woven vintage tapestry—never machine-made—perfect as a petite area rug or a wall hanging.


Weaving tradition & construction.
This piece is a Moroccan Berber flatweave kilim woven in tapestry/“slit-weave” technique. You can see the tell-tale vertical slit joins where color blocks meet (close-ups), and the fabric is weft-faced with no pile—classic for tapestry kilims from the Middle Atlas/southern oasis towns (Ouarzazate–Taznakht belt). Warps appear white cotton; the softly variegated wefts are hand-spun local wool.

Design & regional cues.
The naïve, pictorial layout—with kasbah buildings, palm trees, shepherds, donkeys, camels, sheep, and ducks on a blue stream—is a hallmark of 20th-c. Moroccan “tableau” kilims made for interior display. The pastel lime greens, sky blues, terracotta and date-palm browns align with dyes favored in the 1970s–1990s in this region.

Age.
Based on the palette, wool handle, and mild sun-softening of colors, I date it to late 20th century (c. 1975–1995).

Materials.

Weft: hand-spun sheep’s wool (medium-fine, slightly heathered).

Warp & fringes: white cotton.

Dyes appear to be a mix of low-impact synthetics typical of the era (stable, nicely mellowed).

Structure details.

Construction: hand-woven flatweave (tapestry/slit-weave kilim).

No knotted pile (so knot type does not apply).

Density (approx.): ~7–8 picks per cm (~18–20 per inch), medium tapestry handle.

Motifs & cultural meaning.

Kasbah / fortified houses: protection & community.

Palms & flowing water: oasis, life and prosperity.

Herds & working animals: abundance and daily pastoral life.
These “story” kilims were often woven for dowries or for decorative use and celebrate everyday scenes with a playful, folk-art hand.

Condition (honest assessment).

Good vintage condition. Even wear consistent with age; edges remain strong.

Slight waviness and minor variation at the sides (inherent to hand-made flatweaves).

Fringes complete and tidy. No holes, odors, or structural repairs observed.

Features:

Exact size: 90 cm × 59 cm (2.95 ft × 1.94 ft)

Origin: Morocco, Middle Atlas / southern oasis tradition

Date: c. 1975–1995

Weave: hand-woven flatweave kilim (weft-faced tapestry, slit-weave joins)

Materials: wool weft on cotton warp

Pile height: none (flat)

Approx. density: ~7–8 picks/cm (~18–20/inch)

Sides/Ends: original; simple cotton fringe

Authentic vintage Moroccan pictorial with oasis scene and animals

Wall-hanging ready (lightweight; ask for a complimentary hanging guide)

Soft, earthy palette that plays well with neutral and natural interiors

Petite size—ideal for gallery walls, kids’ rooms, entry nooks, or layered rug styling

100% handmade; each motif carries individual character

Care Instructions

Vacuum lightly without a beater bar; avoid high suction on fringes.

For spills, blot (don’t rub) with a dry cloth; then dab cool water with a drop of wool-safe soap.

Professional flatweave cleaning when needed.

Rotate seasonally for even exposure; avoid prolonged direct sunlight.

As a wall hanging, use a sleeve/Velcro strip or a thin rod with clips to distribute weight evenly.

Styling Notes

This kilim complements bohemian, mid-century, coastal, eclectic, Scandinavian natural, and kids’/playroom spaces. Its storybook village scene also makes a wonderful nursery wall tapestry or a cheerful splash in a narrow entry.



Bring home a handmade story from North Africa—woven with real wool, real hands, and a lot of character. If you’d like additional photos, a video in natural light, or a free rug pad cut to size, just ask.