Vintage African Kilim Tapestry – Hand-Woven Market Women Wall Hanging

A warm, story-rich wall hanging woven in soft undyed cream with ochre and saffron accents. This hand-loomed pictorial kilim depicts two market women, baskets and gourds rendered in bold silhouette lines—timeless daily-life imagery from North Africa that brings texture, culture, and a gentle neutral palette to modern interiors.

From the close-ups you can see a weft-faced flatweave (tapestry/kilim) structure: the colored wefts fully cover the warps, with crisp slit-tapestry joins at color boundaries. Certain outlines (the black lines around the figures, vessels and fruit) are executed as an over-stitch/embroidered outline on top of the tapestry to sharpen the pictorial forms—common in North-African workshop pieces made for wall display. There is no pile; this is not a knotted rug.

Knot structure :
Not applicable—flatweave (kilim) with tapestry technique, so there are no Ghiordes/Symmetrical or Senneh/Asymmetrical knots present.

Regional origin :
The subject matter (market women with baskets/gourds), the ochre-rust palette on a natural cream ground, and the inclusion of sewn hanging tabs along the top edge point to a Maghreb/North-African atelier, most likely Morocco, produced for wall display and the home-decor market of the late 20th century.

Age estimate :
Wool sheen, slight haloing of fibers and very light, even handling patina suggest mid–late 20th century (circa 1970s–1990s). Colors remain strong with no localized sun-fade; edges are straight and tassels intact.

Maker’s marks / regional tells :
No signature is visible. Distinctive elements include three woven hanging loops integrated at the top, macramé-knotted fringe headers at the bottom, and the embroidered black contouring—details aligned with North-African pictorial wall kilims.

Pile height & density :
Pile: none (flatweave); surface is level with very slight yarn halo from hand-spun wool.
Density: tight tapestry set; not expressed as KPSI due to flatweave structure.

Materials:
Weft: hand-spun wool (undyed cream ground; vegetal/acid-dye ochres, saffron, brown, black).
Warp: light wool cord (visible at the fringes and loops). Hand feel is soft yet sturdy.

Motifs & symbolism :

Market women in draped garments: dignity of work, community, and matriarchal roles.

Baskets/gourds/produce: hospitality, harvest, and abundance.

Bold outline drawing: a graphic, modernist interpretation seen in North-African tourist-market textiles of the period; not religious but celebratory.

Naqsha / layout logic:
The composition is a single-panel pictorial field on a neutral ground, anchored by the figures at right and a cluster of vessels at left, leading the eye diagonally. There is no separate border; instead, the lower macramé header and the upper hanging tabs frame the image like a scroll—an intentional wall-art presentation that differentiates it from floor rugs.

Condition:
Excellent vintage condition for age. Even surface with minor natural wool fuzz; fringe complete; side edges straight; tapestry joins tight; no odors, holes, or repairs observed in the photos.

Technical Specifications (measured from photos & provided size)

Type: Hand-woven pictorial kilim / tapestry wall hanging

Origin (attributed): North Africa (likely Moroccan workshop)

Age: c. 1970s–1990s

Size: 134 × 89 cm (52.8 × 35.0 in)

Weave: Weft-faced tapestry/flatweave with embroidered contour lines

Materials: Wool wefts on wool warps; natural & dyed yarns

Pile: None (flat surface)

Ends/Edges: Macramé-knotted fringe at bottom; integrated three hanging loops at top

Condition: Vintage excellent; ready to hang

Features (highlights for shoppers)

Hand-loomed North-African pictorial kilim—authentic cultural wall art

Neutral cream ground with ochre & saffron accents—easy to style

Integrated wall loops: hang instantly on a wooden dowel or rod

Durable wool tapestry—lightweight yet substantial

Ideal size for entryways, above a console, or gallery walls

Care Instructions

Hang using a smooth dowel/rod through the top loops; avoid very thin rods that can crease.

Vacuum gently with a brushless attachment (low suction); never beat or shake aggressively.

Spot clean with cold water and a pH-neutral wool soap; blot—don’t rub.

Keep out of direct, prolonged sunlight to prevent gradual fading.

For deeper cleaning, use a professional rug cleaner experienced with flatweaves/tapestries.

Store rolled (image out) with acid-free tissue; never fold for long periods.

Styling Notes

This warm, narrative textile pairs beautifully with boho, mid-century, Japandi, organic modern, and neutral Scandinavian rooms. Its cream ground calms busy walls while the saffron/orange notes echo wood tones, terracotta, rattan, houseplants, and limewash finishes. Perfect as a kitchen, dining, hallway, nursery, or studio wall statement.

This piece isn’t just decoration—it’s storytelling in wool. If you’re curating a home with character, craftsmanship, and global heritage, this wall hanging will become a favorite conversation starter. Add it to your cart with confidence; it ships clean, carefully wrapped, and ready to hang.