Purchase unique handmade textiles from rural South Africa
The master weavers of the Mapusha Weaving Cooperative weave in three different modes: hand dyed, spun, and woven carpets and tapestries in a tapestry weave, and pure cotton table runners woven on a floor loom. All the work shows impeccable craftsmanship. Each piece holds just a little of the rural South African world in its fibers.
Styles and design themes
The unique textile patterns developed by the Mapusha weavers include:
Peaceable kingdom
Geometric
Color flow
African landscape
Table Runners
The thin cotton threads of the warp and weft make for light and elegant table runners in subtle white-on-white designs with hand tied fringe. Runners are woven on a floor loom.
The standard size of 16x40 inches (1x1.5 meters) sells for $50, including shipping. Shipping time by air is approximately two weeks.
Animal Theme Rugs
Three rugs inspired from memories of the African bushveld; the peaceful giraffe eating the top of a tree, the ever curious zebra and the adorable baby elephants always protected by their mother.
The rugs are 100% natural, cotton warp and wool weft, spun and dyed by the women of the cooperative. The tapestries are woven on frame looms into a small rug, 2' x 3 1/2'.
These tapestries sell for $200, including shipping. Shipping time by air is approximately two weeks.
Carpets
Handspun Karakul wool with 100% cotton warp
The simplicity of the hand spun and hand woven carpets is matched by their durability. Pricing for undyed carpets is $18 per square foot (R1,000 per square meter) in the standard sizes below.
2 x 3 feet, $108 (0.66 x 1 meter, R660) plus shipping
3 x 5 feet, $270 (1 x 1.66 meters, R1,660) plus shipping
6 x 9 feet, $972 (2 x 3 meters, R6,000) plus shipping
Pricing for a dyed wool carpet is $20 per square foot (R1,200 per square meter).
Tapestries
Handspun Karakul wool, thin strand and hand dyed
Tapestries are one-of-a-kind pieces of art/craft. Woven in one of four unique design styles, each piece reflects the character of the weaver and a certain view of the world.
Pricing for a tapestry is $22.50 per square foot (R1,800 per square meter) plus shipping.
Bird Mobiles
Some Mapusha artisans work with bright African fabrics, beads, and tiny bells to create whimsical “Birds of Africa” mobiles. The mobile sells for $35, including shipping. Consider shipping time of four weeks.
Orders
To place your order for a table runner, an undyed carpet, or a mobile, contact Judy Miller, below. Direct ordering will be available soon!
Commissions
With the cooperative’s skilled weavers, you have the unique opportunity to commission your carpet by selecting from one of the unique Mapusha patterns and specifying the color themes and carpet size of your choice. Carpets can be ordered in dimensions up to 9 x 12 feet (3 x 4 meters). If you are interested in placing a commission, please contact textile designer Judy Miller for a consultation.
By email: mapushaweavers@gmail.com
By phone (in USA): 503.740.5610
Care for carpets and tapestries
Carpets of Karakul wool are very strong. They can be washed as you would a wool sweater. Larger carpets may be hosed down and laid out to dry on the grass. Cotton runners may be hand washed, dried flat, and ironed.
Shipping
Shipping is slow but reliable; a package sent from South Africa to the United States takes from 60 to 90 days (unless otherwise specified). Consider shipping costs as follows:
$50 minimum price for 2 kilos or less (4.4 pounds)
$50 per above 2 kilos, approximately $50/square meter of woven goods
