Mid Century Rugs & Mid Century Carpets

Mid Century Rugs: The 20th century was largely defined by experimentation and innovation. The Vintage and mid-century rugs that were produced between the 1920′s and 1970′s explore the boundaries and push the limits of textual and visual style. These rugs created design pieces that provide a strong sensory experience.

The Mid Century Rugs include abstract, pop-art, artist designed, surrealist and minimalist styles. There pieces were able to set, or keep pace with the ever changing interior decor trends. In many ways, the new and innovative trends what were developed during the mid 20th century were based upon a revival of folklore and traditions that were turned on their ear to become a new genre.

In Paris, Le Corbusier, popularized this revival of the old and unusual. He was able to do so by transforming the abstract and textural Berber carpets into high-design pieces. In Scandinavia and Denmark, the patrimonial Danish

design trends reached an unprecedented level of global popularity through manufacturers like Ege Rya as well as other professional weavers. Like the aesthetic movement of the late 1800s and the Luddites (who destroyed the British power looms in the early 1800s), the artists and master weavers who created rugs during the mid 20th century also rebelled against the increasing industrialization of carpet production. 

Ege Rya and other manufacturers used weaving techniques borrowed from Axminster to produce durable machine-made rugs and shag carpets. While a separate group of designers was dedicated to producing hand-woven carpets and involving themselves in all aspects of production. Ironically, the designers specializing in handwoven pieces have often been the product of industrialization. Schooled in industrial design and textile production to meet the growing demands of the mid 20th century, these designers developed their own unique styles which often included influences from local or regional history and folklore.

Mid-century Carpets