Wool rug · Timimoun · Red & burgundy

Handwoven wool flat weave, skilfully crafted on a traditional loom by women artisans in the Saharan oasis of Timimoun. This striking piece, made from locally sourced wool, captivates with its vibrant red ground covered in a dense lattice of repeating diamond motifs in deep burgundy and off-white, creating dynamic visual energy across the entire surface. The intricate pattern offers a modern interpretation of the traditional hooked cross Jebel Amour design, its rhythmic geometry reflecting the stark beauty of Algeria's high plateau landscape.

The Craft. This rug showcases the artistry of traditional Algerian flat weave techniques, where locally sourced wool is first hand-dyed using natural pigments derived from plants and minerals. The complex geometric pattern emerges through the careful manipulation of warp and weft threads, with artisans counting and placing each coloured element to build up the interlocking diamond motifs row by row. The tight, even weave creates a durable yet supple fabric, whilst the hand-spun wool retains its natural lustre and resilience. Individual weavers work methodically, their skilled hands maintaining perfect tension and pattern continuity throughout the piece, translating generations of design knowledge into contemporary forms.

The Heritage. Rug weaving in Algeria carries centuries of Berber tradition, where women have long transformed wool into functional artworks that tell stories through pattern and colour. In the Saharan oases, weaving remains more than craft—it is cultural memory made tangible, with each region developing distinctive motifs and techniques passed from mother to daughter. The Jebel Amour pattern takes its name from a mountain range in central Algeria, where nomadic weavers developed this iconic design of interlocking diamonds with hooked motifs. The geometric patterns that define Algerian textiles speak a visual language of protection, fertility, and connection to the land, their bold geometry and rhythmic repetition reflecting the landscape that shaped them. These textiles connect contemporary makers to countless generations of weavers who encoded cultural identity into every thread.

The Maker. Atelier Tigurarin operates in Timimoun, a remote oasis town surrounded by red sand dunes in the Gourara region of the Algerian Sahara, where this ancient craft has found new life through cooperative workshops. Here, women gather to weave on traditional looms, their skilled hands maintaining techniques that might otherwise fade. The atelier supports local women weavers in preserving traditional Algerian textile crafts whilst providing sustainable livelihoods. Working in partnership with Couleurs de Timimoun, the workshop is committed to using only natural dyes derived from plants and minerals, ensuring authentic colours that echo ancestral dyeing practices.