by Memori Studio

• Front: 100% wool; back: 100% cotton
• Approximate measurements: 50 x 50 cm
• Care: handwash cold with wool detergent only when absolutely necessary

Editor's note:

A distinct cushion cover handspun and handwoven by the Feija Tribe in the Moroccan Anti-Altas remanence of the colors of olden-day Morocco. The colors come from applying Henna - considered a protective talisman by the Feija - as well as several tinctorial plants to the wool. Indeed, the Anti-Atlas region of Morocco seems to be the only region in the world where henna is not only used to adorn the skin or to dye hair but also to decorate woollen textiles. Because these are handmade using natural dyes, variation in the color, size, shape and motifs are to be expected. We find that this adds to the endearment of the piece.

The wool is 100% Siroua undyed wool, from an endangered sheep living in a volcanic massif with very long wool fibers. The back is made of 100% cotton woven in Morocco. 

Provenance:

In the Anti-Atlas, the Feija are one of the oldest Berber tribes. Until the early 2000's, their village - landlocked by mountains - was only accessible on foot or accompanied by mules. It is a village mostly of women, as the lack of work force men to leave for bigger cities. It is in this landlocked village that the women weavers pass from generation to generation, mother to daughter, the ancestral tradition of creating henna-panted, wool textiles. These women are the guardians of this creation - one of the few remaining villages in Morocco where women still handspin using heritage techniques with such finesse.