Small Vintage Cotton Indian Agra Rug, Country of Origin: India, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century – This vintage mid century rug is based on a traditional Persian design. It has a central medallion, main field with formal corners and multi-layered border. However, the details of the vintage cotton Indian Agra rug are not as intricate as one would expect in a traditional Persian design. This gives it an almost abstract quality that is more in line with mid-century modern design concepts.
The motifs in the design are sparse and disconnected, not what one would expect if it were a traditional Persian design. This allowed the designer to place an emphasis on color, as the areas inside the design are solid and lacking detail. The flowers do not have stems, and there is no attempt to connect the various sections of the rug, making each one stand-out as unique in its own right.
One of the most unique features of this rug is that it is able to bring a traditional design into mid-century modern artistic concepts. At first, the traditional design of the rug stands out, but as you examine the rug more closely, it becomes apparent that the artist did not wish to simply reproduce a historical design, but to use the concept of abstraction to bring it into the-modern era. The colors of the rug are magnificent, and the design is a unique intersection between traditional and contemporary that makes this rug a versatile piece that would complement a number of different interior design styles.