A highly unusual kilim, mid 20th century, from the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas region of southern Morocco, with a design of great artistic value. The unobtrusive, but spectacular composition, is defined by a predominantly dark field interspersed with light colored stripes and lenticular shapes. By using undyed wool in greatly varied shades, the weaver emphasizes a tantalizing interplay between sharp and soft light-dark contrasts. The overall design is then skillfully rounded off with additional motifs and zigzag lines in weft wrapping technique. This flat-weave is of an unusually large format and convinces through the subtle complexities integrated into its formal structure: It is certainly a masterpiece of its kind. It is listed as no.158 in the museum catalogue described below.

Jurgen Adam began collecting in the 1960s and had access to pieces that have long since disappeared from the market. His collection include pile carpets from Rehamna and the region surrounding the city of Boujad, as well as a group of highly unusual pieces and a large number of monochrome carpets from the Middle Atlas.

Please see the catalogue Marokkanische Teppiche und die Kunst der Moderne (published by Arnoldsche in 2013) accompanying the exhibit Moroccan Carpets and Modern Art shown at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich from September 14, 2013 to January 5, 2014. To inquire about the availability of individual pieces please get in touch via the link below.

OURIKA

coming soon…