Vintage Scandinavian Swedish Kilim 42019

Swedish Rug, Sweden, Mid 20th Century - At first glance, this boldly unusual Swedish tapestry rug recalls the stylized floral allover designs of Caucasian village rugs, but it is likely that its inspiration is much earlier, reaching back to the Turkish stylized animal carpets that inspired Scandinavian weaving in the late middle ages. While some of the designs are floral, others are clearly heraldic geometricized lions or dragons of Oriental derivation. Not only is this rug a masterpiece of folk art design and chromatic subtlety; it testifies to the continuity of the Swedish or Scandinavian weaving tradition back through the centuries.