Vintage Moroccan Berber Runner – Boujad, c. 1960s–1970s

This vibrant Moroccan runner is more than just a floor covering – it is a piece of living history, woven by hand in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco by Berber women in the mid-20th century.

Who Made It & Why

Traditionally, Berber rugs were not produced for commercial sale but for use within the weaver’s own household or family. Each rug carried personal meaning and was a canvas for self-expression. A young woman might weave a runner like this as part of her dowry, intended to bring warmth, colour, and symbolism into her married life. Motifs were often drawn from memory, tribal traditions, and personal experience, making every rug one-of-a-kind.

The repeating diamonds in this piece are a common Berber symbol of protection and fertility, while the zigzag lines represent life’s journey – its detours and triumphs. These motifs are woven with intention, carrying messages of prosperity, resilience, and continuity for future generations.

Design & Craftsmanship

• Wool pile on wool foundation, hand-knotted using traditional village techniques.
• A striking central chain of diamond motifs in hot pink and green, framed by zigzag bands in softer earth tones and pastels.
• The colours reflect both natural vegetable dyes and the introduction of early synthetic dyes in the 1960s–70s, a hallmark of Boujad weaving from this period.
• The irregularities in pattern and weave are celebrated as part of its authenticity, reminding us of its origin on simple looms in rural mountain homes.

Age & Condition

• c. 1960s–1970s.
• In very good vintage condition, with gentle wear consistent with age.
• Finished with traditional twisted fringe.

Dimensions

3.40m × 0.81m

Styling

Runners of this scale were woven for long passageways in Moroccan homes and riads, and today they are perfectly suited to hallways, entryways, or layered as statement accents in modern interiors. Their rich symbolism and unique palette bring warmth, texture, and soul into contemporary spaces.