Swedish Rugs

Beautiful Swedish Rugs by Nazmiyal

Swedish Rugs and carpets have a long history in Scandinavian weaving which reaches right into the Modern period. An established form of Swedish folk weaving, “Rollakans” were used as coverlets or flat woven tapestry rugs.

The vintage mid century modern Swedish rugs are the product of ancient weaving traditions transported from countries in the Asian Steppe on epic journeys through harsh Arctic conditions. Evolving from a practical fur-like cold weather garment into a stylish coverlet, the Rya was the premier all-purpose textile for the Scandinavian region.

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After many years of creating long-pile Ryas and flat-woven carpets, Swedish weavers developed a passion for designs incorporating simple geometric patterns and artful motifs based on regional folklore. By the 20th century, Swedish rugs were international art objects that were partly the product of government funding. Swedish rug weavers and textile artists continued to grow their trendsetting style with shaggy carpets, bold works of art and happy colorful rugs that epitomize modern, mid-century designs.

Vintage Swedish rugs have been the benefactors of the recent resurgence in mid-century modern interiors. Rugs from Sweden are known for incorporating modernist motifs and designs which naturally go perfectly in any modern decor or setting. As the demand increases for the art deco and vintage rugs – people can expect the prices of the Swedish rugs to escalate over the next few years.

With that said, Swedish rugs are probably the best value – simply put – for a fraction of what it would cost to get a good (not great) mid-century modernist painting, one could buy any one of a number of the best Swedish rugs that were ever made. It is because of this simple fact that people are now buying Swedish rugs and using them as wall hangings / tapestries. There is no doubt that the Swedish rugs have equally as much artistic value as any painting but since the price points are so much less this begs the question – why buy a modernist painting when you could own a Swedish rug that is equally as beautiful and is far less expensive?

Swedish Rugs – Beauty and Diversity of

Nazmiyal is pleased to offer collectors, designers and carpet enthusiasts a comprehensive collection of vintage rugs, textiles and art pieces from Sweden. Nazmiyal searches the world to procure the best Scandinavian Ryas, flat-woven Rolakans, art rugs and traditional Flossa pile carpets.

Created during the mid-20th century, vintage Swedish and Scandinavian carpets embody the creative spirit that emerged at the birth of Modernism. Undoubtedly an offshoot of the Aesthetic Movement, Swedish carpets and textiles represent an industry backlash where mass-produced items were shunned and master craftspeople contributed care and creativity to each piece.

Vintage Swedish Rug by Britta Randahl Ljusterdal

Until the late 1920’s, Swedish textiles and carpets were domestic luxury items that were unknown to the world. This changed when the country made a collaborative appearance at the 1925 International Exhibition or “Exposition Universelle” in Paris.

The Society of Swedish Homecraft and other government-sponsored organizations united freelance weavers and artists to put their country on the weaving map. Dominated by a young group of artists and master weavers trained in industrial art and design, Swedish weavers and artists upped the ante at an exposition hosted by the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in 1927. This international exposure changed the future for Swedish weavers.

Sweden, a country roughly the size of California, is home to one of the most diverse weaving traditions in the 20th century. Swedish weavers had access to a world-class education in the arts that was augmented by their individual artistic instinct.

Artists and master weavers, such as Marta Maas Fjetterstrom, contributed hundreds of inventive designs that were manufactured in cooperative workshops while others like Marta Gahn, Brita Grahn, Rakel Callander and Anna Greta Sjoquist worked independently.

Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Kilim Rug

The legacies left by these celebrated master weavers, designers and artists are profound, and their creations span many styles. Imbued with folklore and Scandinavian symbolism, these diverse textiles and carpets woven by master craftspeople are impeccably made using the finest materials.

From the initial inspiration to the laborious process of creating each carpet, the expressive creations of Sweden’s accomplished master weavers represent one of the most comprehensive and diverse weaving cultures. View our collection of modern and antique Swedish carpets to discover the creations of this marvelously eclectic country.

The renewed popularity of mid-century design has reinvigorated the desire for Swedish rugs and Kilims of this vintage and quality so view the collection now before these Swedes leave town!

Vintage Marta Maas and Swedish Tapestries

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This breathtaking vintage Swedish Tapestry rug is a stand out piece in the Nazmiyal collection. A mid-century modern design by legendary artist Marta Maas Fjetterstrom, the flat-weave carpet is unrivaled in its abstract elegance. Crafted with a similar technique to other rugs of the period, this is actually a tapestry.

“This is what textile art is all about, especially with the modernist twist” says Nazmiyal’s Omri Schwartz. He notes the arresting subtle nuances of the design that tell a story. “The eyes in the top left corner, they are looking away. You wonder what it’s trying to say.”

Vintage Marta Maas Swedish Tapestry Rug

Marta Maas Fjetterstrom‘s was a leading figure in the Swedish rug and textile world. Born in 1873, she studied and mastered the nationalistic and art nouveau style of weaving of the period. By 1919, she broke with tradition and developed a style all her own. Influenced by folk art and Oriental rugs, the new design reflects a vision of nature expressed and experienced with each line and form.

“She is a remarkable storyteller,” said Erik Wettergreen, director of the National Museum in Stockholm in 1934. “This hard-working weaver who finds her inspiration in legends and in meadows, from the Orient and from Scandinavia, from ancient faiths and from the freshest leaves, from biblical quotations and from buildings, from all that causes the imagination to bloom.”

Marta Maas Fjetterstrom’s works are among the most prized pieces of collectors, dealers and art aficionados worldwide. Her textiles can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Louvre in Paris.

Beauty of the Swedish Tapestries

Swedish Tapestry – Vintage rugs and mid-century modern rugs from Scandinavia are among the more popular styles available to consumers today. These exciting and dynamic pieces are prized by designers and homeowners the world over for their unique aesthetic idiom, which tends to emphasize the more minimalist tendencies of mid-century design.

Many mid twentieth century area rugs and carpets from Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries feature modern reinterpretations of traditional Scandinavian design, often deconstructed and then presented as something entirely new.

This unique approach beautifully blends together classical Scandinavian design trends with contemporary aesthetic preferences, resulting in uniquely appealing compositions, whether the piece in question be a Swedish tapestry, rug or carpet.

Animal Garden Design Vintage Swedish Tapestries

Our extensive Swedish tapestry and rug collection features beautifully woven examples from the full range of mid-century Scandinavian design.

More traditional tapestries featuring pictorial depictions of people and animals, exciting and abstract modern pieces featuring eccentric geometric figures, and simple compositions featuring clean and straightforward design elements – each piece offers something unique, and each piece may be found in our collection.

A well composed vintage Swedish tapestry or rug represents an exciting development not only in the world of rugs and carpets, but in the world of art broadly.

While they tend to be quite limited in numbers, Swedish wall hanging tapestry rugs are phenomenal examples of great textile art. They are extremely versatile in look and colors which makes them easy to incorporate in many different interior design approaches. This versatility combines by the relatively lower price points, make these vintage piece a very smart choice for the savvy home decorating consumer.