In Stock - Modern & 20th C.

A smaller sect of the Berber people who predominantly inhabit Northern African nations, the Tuaregs share common cultural aspects with the Berbers in their way of life. As their economy revolved around trans-Saharan trade, this created a significant impact on their art, including textiles.

Made in the first years of the 20th century, mats produced from the nomadic tribes had a significant place in Tuareg culture and have been hand-woven by women for thousands of years. The women who hand-wove these Tuareg mats used convenient materials such as palms and reeds. Once completing the base, they would then decorate them with intricate leather strands of camel or goat leather often adorned with powerful symbols. Due to the size and incredible durability, these mats were made to withstand some of the hottest temperatures worldwide.

Our extensive collection at FJ Hakimian Gallery provides Tuareg mats in a number of sizes with a range of warm, earthly tones sure to illuminate any room in your home. Using the stark elegance of these mats woven by women of the African desert, any interior decor fashioned with these pieces surely transforms any modern day living space.

Morocco's rich textile heritage dates back to the beginnings of civilization, with the early adoption of rug-making by native Moroccans. With strong tribal character, decorative quality, and suppleness, the feel of the Berber rugs have long been acknowledged and admired. Color-saturated decoration has long been associated with traditional Moroccan decorative art heritage and typically varies from neutral shades to popping hues. The designs that most frequently appear in Moroccan rugs are traditional and ancient, passed down from weaver to weaver, with designs ranging from ordered geometric shapes and elaborate ornaments to a more abstract and free-form expressive pattern. 

Since launching our Moroccan collection over a decade ago at FJ Hakimian Gallery , we have the pleasure of working with numerous contemporary designers who are responding to weavings by the Berber tribes with the same enthusiasm as their predecessors. We supply both vintage Berbers and custom rugs hand-made by the Berber weavers of today. Designers are seeking these rugs with renewed fervor, as they find Berber rugs' light color, softness, sheen, and loose weave ideal for today's barefoot lifestyle and light-filled interiors.