In Marrakech, How to Choose a Moroccan Rug

While purchasing a rug in Marrakech can be a lot of fun, it can also be intimidating.The history of Moroccan rugs

The majority of what you'll find in stores is produced by one of the forty-five different Moroccan Berber tribes. Every Marrakech runner rug is woven by hand on a loom and has a distinct style of its own. Women do it most frequently when they have leisure time. Depending on their size, complexity, and the amount of time she has, rugs can take anywhere from 10 days to 6 months to make. Marrakech décor is primarily utilized in homes or during special occasions. After that, they are traded or sold as items.

Keep these points in mind when you visit Morocco and wish to buy a Marrakech runner rug to take home with you.

1. Avoid appearing overly interested

Keep it a secret from the shopkeeper or you risk losing one of your most valuable negotiating tools. Instead, be unconcerned when looking at Marrakech runner rug so that you may ultimately return to the one you actually like. Additionally, don't be frightened to leave. Although it is true that Moroccan rugs are unique, many times the salesman will come back and lower the price or agree to the previous price you offered.

2.Antique and Old

Don't automatically believe it if someone tells you that a Marrakech runner rug in a store is an antique Moroccan rug, especially if you don't know the difference. An entire industry has developed around "aging" carpets that are then sold as antiques. Do your homework so you know what you're getting if you really want to purchase an antique. There's a fair chance that none of the carpets in this collection date back further than the 1920s or 1930s.

3. Test of Fire

Wool is the primary component of genuine Marrakech décor. Holding a lighter up to one of the frayed edges will help you determine whether the rug you're buying is made of real wool or a synthetic one. It is made of wool if it doesn't light or go out on its own. It is synthetic if it ignites. The dealer would probably become extremely agitated if you pulled out a lighter and it turned out to be a fake after he had assured you that it was real.

It's important to remember that this is only a generalization; not all rugs are "cheap." When you shop, keep in mind that many carpets require many materials and many months to manufacture.