Antique Irish Donegal carpet, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Irish Rugs, Circa Date: 1920 – The charm of antique Persian rugs was popular in many of the great early 20th century interior designs. They are a reflection back to the Victorian era, when the popularity of these antique rugs was at a peak. The originals experienced a resurgence in popularity, which led to the production of other carpets made by European manufacturers based on traditional designs.
The Donegal rug manufactury was one of the areas that produced Irish rugs based on Persian designs to fill a growing market need. The magnificent Irish Donegal rugs are a fascinating part of history because they are representative of a trend in interior design that hearkens to an earlier era.
This rug is fascinating because it has the formal elements that one would typically find in a Persian rug, but they are carried out in a manner that is distinctively different from the originals upon which they are based. As with authentic Persian rugs, it has a field with an allover pattern and a complex system of borders radiating from it. The field and borders use contrasting colors for the background, which makes each of these elements stand out visually.
Although the motifs and colors of the antique Irish Donegal carpet are similar to those used in traditional Persian carpets, they are stylistically different and reflect an Art Deco character and feel that was popular in Europe at the time. The Irish carpets produced in Donegal are important because they demonstrate the importance of Persian design and its popularity throughout Europe.
The soft colors of the Donegal rug bring energy to the room. It would make excellent addition to an Art Deco collection, or a modern design that needs a touch of color to serve as a focus. This rug is delightful and represents an important era in art history.