Marvadiah

From: http://www.metropolitancarpet.com/html/body_bezalel__antique_oriental_rugs.html

With the revival of Jewish life in Jerusalem on early 20th Century and the popularity of Arts and Crafts movement, an art school was established in Jerusalem under the name Bezalel. Bezalel is the Biblical name of the Devine “Artist” who executed the design of the Ark and the sanctuary built by Israelites, following the Egyptian exodus. Between the years of 1906 and 1931 many rugs were made in this school with mostly Jewish motifs and Art Nouveau styles. This workshop was called “Marvadiah” (Marvad in Hebrew means carpet) and many of these rugs are inscribed either Bezalel or Marvadiah. Since the practice of carpet weaving started there under the Ottoman Empire, the construction and the color pallet of these rugs resembles many Anatolian rugs of the period.