Treehouse Shakers – Treehouse Shakers' Art Matters
Auction Ends: Oct 19, 2010 10:00 PM EDT

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Hand-Made Morrocan Rug

Item Number
182
Estimated Value
50 USD
Sold
27 USD to Whendalee
Number of Bids
3  -  Bid History

Item Description

Enjoy a one of a kind hand-woven Moroccan Rug, made specially for the Treehouse Shakers' virtual auction. Created by a nomadic woman living in the Valley of the Roses in Morocco, the rug is made from a blend of market-bought wool, cotton, unraveled sweaters and sheep's wool.  Washable.  Weighs about 5kg.  Plush and vibrant. The rug is 3x5 and has a thick, dense 1 inch pile.  It is a rich blue, gold, and white.  The colors are very true to the pictures (the photos without the women).  It is very durable and is used as a rug, blanket, or wall hanging in the villages (a bit heavy to hang, but is done) All this combines to make it a tradition Berber rug.

About the organization: Association Gorges Du Dades, Ait Ouffi, was started in 2002 with the intention of providing local woman with an opportunity to earn an income, while striving to preserve the biodiversity of the area’s natural habitat.  The idea is that if women can earn an income, then they can afford butane gas on a regular basis and stop cutting down precious trees for firewood.

Since its inception, the focus of the Association has been on weaving – sacks, carpets, wool blankets – but admittedly, their greatest asset is not their current product output.  Their greatest asset is their motivation to learn new skills, to develop new, innovative products, and to be the first women in their gorge to do so.

 

 

Item Special Note

Cleaning Instructions:

It can be vacuumed.  In the villages these rugs are usually shaken or beaten and if they are washed they are placed on rocks in the river and cleaned by the water flowing over them.  Carpet cleaners are too harsh.  Cleaning instructions will be included with the rug and a CD of a similar rug being made  (start to finish) in the same village.