About Our Vintage Moroccan Rugs
Vintage Moroccan Rug Styles, From Beni Ourain to Boujad
Every vintage piece in our collection has already lived a life or three before it reaches its new home. Most are aged between 30 and 80 years old, worn in by decades of use long before we find them. Beni Ourain rugs are the classic, with creamy white wool and freeform charcoal geometric and diamond designs, softened by age in all the right places. Boujad rugs in bold plant and vegetable dyed colours fade softly over time, the deep pinks, purples and reds mellowing into an earthy warmth newly made synthetic colours can't replicate. Azilal pieces from this era are unique one-offs in the truest sense, handwoven pieces of art made for personal use in family homes. Our favourites are the Taznakht pieces, for their beautiful premium wool and gorgeous earthy colours dyed with natural saffron and henna. And the beautiful large Beni M'Guild pieces, with their subtle geometric designs, softly textured surfaces and thick knotted pile. All of them are Berber rugs, woven by Amazigh tribes across Morocco, and the style filter above shows each one.
Sizing a Vintage Moroccan Rug for Your Space
Because every vintage rug is a single, unrepeatable piece, sizing works differently than shopping a made-to-order rug. A vintage runner suits a hallway or landing, though the width will vary slightly piece to piece rather than sitting on a fixed size chart. Small and medium vintage rugs are the easiest to place, layered in a bedroom, under a side table, or as the one softening element in an otherwise hard-edged room. Large vintage rugs are rarer, since one big enough for a living room has to have survived decades intact, so if you find the size and pattern you want, it's worth moving quickly. Once it's sold, that exact piece won't come back. Our Moroccan rug size guide has room by room advice.
Colours & Materials in Vintage Moroccan Rugs
Nearly every rug here is handwoven from 100% wool, which is part of why the good ones have lasted this long. Natural fibres age well, while synthetic ones don't. The wool in our vintage rugs is naturally sun faded, with years of foot traffic softening the dyes in ways no new rug can, so our neutral and colourful vintage pieces both carry a depth and character that only comes from time. A softly faded pink or red vintage rug will read warmer and more muted than its modern equivalent, while a vintage cream Beni Ourain often has a warm golden undertone new wool doesn't have. For the true vintage lovers, there really is no comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "vintage" actually mean?
It means the rug has already existed for decades, mostly 30 to 80 years and sometimes older. Every piece was handwoven long ago in natural wools with plant and vegetable dyes, and used in a family home or two before it made its way into the carpet auctions and souks.
Our rugs are genuine vintage pieces, naturally aged by time and use, never newly made rugs made to look old or chemically faded. Each one is hand washed, hand restored and repaired when needed by our artisan partners in Marrakech before it makes its way to its new home.
How old are the rugs in the collection?
Most are between 30 and 80 years old. Exact age can be hard to pin down with handmade pieces passed through families and traders.
We've spent 10 years specialising in vintage rugs from Morocco, so we've gotten pretty good at spotting the old style natural dyes, weaving styles and other signs of what decade and region a rug is from. Our sourcing partners in Marrakech have decades of experience placing a rug's era by its weave, wool and dye, and have generously taught us everything we know.
What happens once a vintage rug I like has sold?
If it's gone, it's gone for good. We don't reorder or reweave vintage pieces, since each one is genuinely one of a kind. If something in the collection catches your eye, it's worth acting rather than waiting, and if you want a similar style or colour we may be able to source something for you, though never exactly the same!
And if you need a particular size for a project, we can arrange a newly handwoven rug made to order through our artisan partners. See Trade & Sourcing for details.
Are vintage rugs cleaned before they reach me?
Yes. Every rug is hand washed and carefully hand restored by our artisan partners in Marrakech before it ships, so any dust and smells from its previous life are gone and it arrives fresh and clean.
Keep in mind that with vintage rugs of this age, there may be some small stains, holes and imperfections we won't be able to restore. It only adds to the rug's authenticity and character, and is part and parcel of buying vintage.
Will there be visible wear and imperfections?
Often, yes, and that's part of what you're buying: softly worn patches from decades of use, slightly uneven edges, and colours naturally faded by the sun.
We wouldn't sell a rug in poor structural condition, but factory-perfect edges aren't realistic for a 30 to 80 year old handwoven piece. The wear is what gives each one its patina and character.
How do I clean and care for a vintage Moroccan rug?
Vacuum regularly on a low setting, and hang it outside for some air every so often to loosen any dust. Rotate it every few months so it wears evenly, and deal with spills straight away rather than letting them sit.
Wool naturally resists staining, so a spill dealt with quickly using a little mild soapy water usually does the trick. For anything trickier, we'd always recommend a professional cleaner that specialises in antique carpets. Wool this age has already proven it lasts, so it's well suited to everyday life in a busy family home. More in our Moroccan rug cleaning & care guide.
How do you know if a rug is genuine vintage?
Age shows in the weave and the wool: the way a pile has softened and compressed, how natural dyes fade unevenly rather than uniformly, and construction techniques that have changed over the decades. Nouvelle Nomad has been sourcing directly from Moroccan rug traders since 2016, and we select every vintage rug with that decade of experience behind us.
Do sizes vary rug to rug?
Yes, more than with new rugs. Because each vintage piece was handwoven individually rather than to a standard spec, two rugs described as the same size can differ by a few centimetres. Always check the exact dimensions on the product page, and get in touch any time if you'd like help with sizing.
Do vintage Moroccan rugs hold or increase in value?
Rarer styles, larger sizes and pieces in excellent vintage condition tend to hold their value well, and some appreciate over time as good vintage stock becomes much harder to find, particularly original Beni Ourains and mid-century pieces.
That said, we'd always say buy one because you love it first. Any increase in value is a bonus, not a guarantee.
Do you ship vintage rugs to Australia?
Yes. Every rug ships door to door from Marrakech by DHL Express, usually arriving within 5 to 10 working days, with prices in AUD. Shopping from overseas? Select your country for prices in your local currency. More on our Shipping & Returns page.
Can I request a specific vintage rug or size?
We can't guarantee an exact match, since we work with what genuinely exists rather than making rugs to order, but get in touch and we'll keep an eye out as new pieces come through. Sourcing for a design or hospitality project? Our Trade & Sourcing page is the best place to start.
