Berber Rare Silk Alternating-Weft Kilim Carpet

Silk, in Morocco, woven by Berber weavers on a household loom. Moroccan flatweaves were traditionally women’s work, with patterns carried from memory and varied by each weaver.

This alternating-weft kilim, 20th century, measures six by more than nine feet. The soft ivory field is crossed by many narrow bands of small motifs: rows of crosses, chevrons, chain links, triangles and diamonds, with wider bands of checkered blocks at intervals. The palette is gentle, butter yellow, lavender, dove gray, touches of black. Fringed ends finish it.

A delicate sheen, an airy pattern.

Walk across it barefoot. Nobody is watching.