A Great Vintage Shag Pile Swedish Rya Rug, Country Of Origin: Finland, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century – Here is a particularly beautiful vintage carpet – a mid-century Scandinavian rug, characterized by a distinct and exciting composition and an intriguing pallet of earth tones and oranges. Scandinavian rugs and carpets – especially mid-century Swedish rugs and carpets, have recently been enjoying a tremendous surge in popularity, due in large part to the increased interest in mid-century Modern design and aesthetics. This striking Finnish Rya or long pile rug is a classic example of the type. Originally developed as bedding coverlets, these vintage rugs are luxuriantly soft and comfortable. Their overall design were traditional graphic and abstract. This example reflects the modernist tradition that developed in Scandinavia after the Second World War, with its abstract asymmetrical network in brown and white on grey, accented with flashes of color. A beautiful vintage carpet, this mid-twentieth century Scandinavian rug delights with its exciting and unapologetic-ally modern composition.
This colorful Swedish rya shag rug will take you back the early part of the second half of the mid-20th century. This classic piece of American pop art culture is a must-have vintage rug. The colors and randomness of the design give it a playful and whimsical quality.
One of the most striking features of this geometric carpet is the use of earthy grounding colors. It has a subtle juxtaposing geometric shapes, except for the few blocks that use a muted two-tone design. It uses both warm and cool colors in limited tones to create an artistic and fascinating tension.
The design itself has little to hold it together other than the use of interconnecting linear shaped vines. The design shows the complete and colors combine to create a nature inspired piece that is both artistic and functional.
Swedish rya knot carpets are made similarly to other pile carpets where a series of knots are tied to a warp with several rows of regular weaving between them to keep them in place. Rya knot carpets of this type have a longer pile of between one and three inches, which is much longer than traditional pile carpets. They are sometimes called “shag” carpets and became quite popular during the 1970s. These carpets were quite the trend of the rich and famous, and authentic Swedish ones became expensive art collectibles.
Although the popularity of these mid-century modern carpets was established well before the 1973 oil crisis, their popularity increased as a way to keep homes warm. This is a classic piece that will brighten any room. It would look perfectly at home in a contemporary room, perhaps with a few lava lamps an abstract artworks thrown in for good measure. It is an iconic piece that embodies a vintage feel.