About Moroccan Azilal Rugs - A Guide for Amateur Collectors
Collecting various Moroccan rugs can enable you to capture the diverse cultural backgrounds and art trends in the region. One of them worth looking at is the coveted Azilal Rug, a piece with a pattern or design scheme like no other. If you want to begin building up your collection, these woven rugs are a great way to start. Just take note that some care and thought should be considered when you purchase Azilal-made rugs. To be fully oriented, use this guide as your starting point to responsible, wise collecting.
What Are Moroccan Azilal Rugs?
The Azilal style is one of the more intricate and unique patterns from the Berber rugs. The community of artisans that produce them resides in the Atlas Mountains, which is 112 miles from the nation’s capital, Marrakech. Due to the mountainous terrain, which is ideal for sheep herding, the rugs are made of untarnished sheep’s wool. It is horizontally woven with cotton by utilizing a gridded line of knots.
Most Moroccan rug enthusiasts, collections, and local cultural experts claim that the Azilal carpets are becoming more popularized as they offer a welcome alternative to another well-known style, the Beni Ourain rugs. It is mostly due to the more recent discovery of the Azilal region’s unique textile tribal elements, which were only sold in the collector’s market later into the 20th century.
Due to the high consumer demand, you can either easily resell them for a better price or beat out more seasoned collectors if you purchase one or two pieces.
What Is the Azilal Rugs’ Cultural Significance?
When we think about craftsmanship and innovative products like Azilal rugs, most cultures would often look to men because of their spiritual and narrative aspects. However, that is not the case for these pieces; they are made through proud matriarchs. Women would even pass down the rugs and the weaving tradition to their children in their respective households.
Each Azilal rug demonstrates a strong woman’s creative prowess, individuality, and deep knowledge of ancestral myths through symbolic depictions. Thus, when you purchase Azilal rugs, you empower cultural legacies to live on in each household.
How Do I Recognize an Authentic Azilal Rug While Browsing through Different Collections?
As an amateur collector, it is no easy feat to tell authentic Moroccan rugs apart from fake ones, especially due to the various styles out there. It does take some practice and knowledge to pull off. You should start by getting well acquainted with Boucherouite rugs’ bright colors while giving careful thought to Beni Ourain rugs’ intriguing tribal design.
A good rule of thumb is to look for geometric woven elements on a white or cream background, but you should be careful of misclassifying rug styles. When all else fails, you can simply rely on online merchants and trusted suppliers who have already differentiated each Moroccan rug style for your convenience.
How Can I Take Proper Care of My Purchased Azilal Rugs?
One proper care tip that every Azilal rug collector like you should put into practice is shaking them off properly once every week to eliminate dust and debris. Once done, you can let it sit in the sun, allowing the heat and humidity to remove any harsh pathogens. These methods are far better than vacuuming because most vacuum cleaners destroy the fibers and unravel the knots faster, leading to a worn-out rug. It would be best to get it professionally hand-washed every 3-5 years or when it starts to smell bad.
Conclusion
Azilal rugs are an up-and-coming collector’s key to having a range of diverse pieces. They are worthwhile investments and depict the thriving Moroccan culture. Now that you have a better understanding of what you should do when getting your own, put the tips to practice and consider sourcing them from a renowned merchant like us!
Are you looking for authentic Moroccan Azilal rugs and other styles? Check out our range of options at Atlas Weavers. We work through fair trade, use the finest materials, and encourage the local artisans. Through our process, you are assured of high-quality pieces right from the source. Buy yours today!