inspiration

A rug with Berber charm

Marouk MK18

It is their outstanding qualities that make Berber carpets so popular. They are usually rather simple in color, which allows them to fit into almost any living environment; the pure wool makes them very robust and easy to care for; and, moreover, they have the typical "cuddly" character that radiates a lot of warmth and comfort.

We are turning our Marouk MK18, a piece of jewelry with typical Berber charm, into a Mischioff inspiration, showing the cold season that it is most welcome.

Detail Marouk MK18

Berber carpet made in Nepal

For the Berbers, carpets were more than just carpets; they were often the only furnishings in their nomadic tents. They served as a place to eat, sleep, and gather, listening to the stories of their ancestors. Indeed, there is an ancient African tradition of storytelling that is as much a part of our cultural heritage today as the artisanal tradition of carpet making.

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Since we don't want to tell fairy tales here, we won't pretend that our Marouk MK18 is a genuine Berber rug . It simply can't be, because it's hand-knotted in our Manufactory in Nepal, not in Morocco or its neighboring countries. Originally, Berber rugs were purely woven , although Weaving has now become the dominant technique in North African countries as well.

The Marouk MK18 is made from 100% pure Himalayan highland wool. It's called highland wool because the sheep that produce it live high in the mountains, not in the lowlands. Since the animals are often exposed to extreme weather conditions, the wool is very dense, extremely robust, and has a high lanolin content, which acts as a natural waterproofing agent. This lanolin is retained during and after the carpet production process.

Imagebild Berberteppich Marouk Collection, Design MK18

The natural product pure virgin wool

The result is the aforementioned "cuddly" feel of the Marouk MK18. It is exceptionally pleasant and soft to the touch. The use of this high-quality material makes our Marouk MK18 a wool rug of the highest quality. But it's not just the natural product, virgin wool, that's responsible for the superior quality; the subsequent processing, done entirely by hand, is also a crucial factor. Our virgin wool is spun and dyed by hand. This means the color is never completely uniform, and slight variations in color remain visible.

These so-called abrashes add vibrancy and are always a sign of quality and craftsmanship. For the Berbers of North Africa, their carpets were neither decoration nor art; they were utilitarian objects, which is why elaborate patterns were usually omitted. The Marouk MK18, with its black diamond pattern, also follows this tradition.

Detail Marouk MK18

The artistry of Weaving s

Carpet weaving is an ancient human skill; carpets are first mentioned in ancient writings dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. Various theories exist regarding the origin of Weaving , none of which are considered definitive. It is quite possible that the technique developed in different places at different times. Today, the traditional art of carpet weaving is recognized as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage and is therefore considered particularly worthy of protection.

All Mischioff carpets are made in our Manufactory in Nepal. We are very aware that we are tapping into a unique cultural heritage here. This also means we bear the responsibility of ensuring that this heritage remains alive. For us, this means paying special attention to the people who master the art of Weaving and practice it every day. The Swiss Fair Trade label STEP is a welcome partner in this endeavor. STEP employees are on-site and work with us to ensure good and fair working conditions, workplace safety, and more. Only in this way can Fair Trade carpets like the Marouk MK18 be created, which fully meet our high quality standards.

Detail Marouk MK18
Marouk MK18