Jernix

Description

One-of-a-kind vintage rug, flatwoven in the town of Taznakht in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco

Dimensions: 5’9″ x 9’10” (174 cm x 300 cm)

Jernix has been professionally cleaned; age-related wear and natural inconsistencies are inherent in these unique, handcrafted vintage rugs

One-of-a-kind vintage rug, flatwoven in the town of Taznakht in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco

Jernix has been professionally cleaned; age-related wear and natural inconsistencies are inherent in these unique, handcrafted vintage rugs

Motifs

• Moroccan rugs don’t come with a key. As with any painting or poem, their motifs have many subjective interpretations. Originally made for personal use, these rugs took months to weave, documenting a shifting tide of events and emotions in the weaver’s life
• Stripes—a simple and timeless classic

Region of Origin

Taznakht is a major market town and weaving center associated with the Ait Ouaouzguite and Zanafi. Rugs from this region can be identified by their tightly-woven and finely-knotted lowish pile and occasional anthropomorphic designs. Their frequent use of yellow is due to abundant local yellow-dye materials, like gorse flowers.

Material Details

Wool, a staple in Moroccan rug design, was considered almost sacred to the Amazigh (Berber) people, whose nomadic lifestyle included sheep and goat herding. In addition to being available, wool is durable, long-lasting, and soft—so it’s super comfy to walk and relax on. In this piece, the wool pile is knotted onto a wool foundation, adding body and helping it hug the floor.

Moroccan wool is locally sourced and produces a thick, strong flatweave that feels soft underfoot. Having stood the test of time, this hand-processed wool has reacted to its various environments, acquiring an untamed, nubby look and feel. You may find traces of dried hay, grass, or straw in your rug as grazing sheep often collect plant matter in their coats. Remove gently by hand or with tweezers. Please note that when wool gets damp, it will smell like a wet sheep. This is the scent of lanolin, which acts as a waxy barrier against dirt and moisture.

• Dust and dirt that accumulate in your rug can erode the fibers over time. The best way to combat this is to take your rug outside and give it a good shake once a week. Depending on how large it is, you may need to recruit a friend to help. Also, be sure to get a rug pad—this helps to preserve your rug in spite of dirt.
• If shaking it out isn’t possible, you can vacuum it instead—just be cautious, and don’t use a rotary vacuum, because it can damage the fibers. Once or twice a month, vacuum on low power with a non-rotary (no spinning brush) vacuum or suction attachment only, moving gently from side to side. Once or twice a year, flip your rug over and vacuum the back.
• Once a year, let it sunbathe. Hang it in the sun for a few hours when it’s hottest, and flip it over midway through, to expose both sides to direct sunlight. This sun-bleaching helps further sanitize the wool. It’s a natural method to bleach and deodorize it.
• To ensure equal wear and protect against walk patterns, change your rug’s direction periodically. You can also flip your rug upside-down once in awhile, and use it like that for a bit. With Moroccan rugs, the back is typically as nice as the front.
• Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed with a Moroccan rug expert. Please do not take it to get steam or dry cleaned—this will almost certainly damage the rug! Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
• In case of spills: Blot the spill until it is dry, but do not add liquid. Consult an Oriental rug specialist immediately for cleaning. Adding liquid can make it harder to remove stains, and can even extend them further. This is because moisture travels along the fiber, so in rugs with horizontal fibers (like flatweaves), it can get trapped.
• Due to the hand-crafted nature of our rugs, you can expect to see light shedding, matting, and signs of fiber and thread breakage over time. For high traffic areas, these effects may occur more quickly and easily.