Algerian Merchant Sample

Algerian Berbers’ hand weaving tradition used to be as vibrant and extensive as its Moroccan neighbor’s. That has changed in the 20th century with independence and the political instability that ensued. Algerian weaving tradition is similar to Moroccan and Tunisian, and it is primarily a woman’s job.

This diminutive weave has three white center fields that are separated by five stripes of dense linear geometric all applied in a discontinuous supplementary weft.

This small and tightly woven piece resembles a typical Ddil, a woman’s body wrap of the Kabyle Berbers. The unusual small size indicates it was made to be used as a merchant’s sample.