Gorgeous Wool Modern Swedish Inspired Rug, Country of Origin: Modern Indian, Circa date: Modern – The first special quality you notice is the unique and attractive abrash rug colors of teal tones in the repeating diamonds. Coolness and warmth alternate in a sort of surprising dance: cool teal diamonds, warm gray diamonds, and bars of buckskin color tucked with deep moss. Each rhombus is adorned with tiny deep teal diamonds at the corners. The entire composition is bordered with variations of buckskin, olive, and pinstripe teal.
One of the joys of handmade carpets is that, unlike machine-made rugs, each piece is unique. Indeed, each section of each piece is unique: even with symmetrical works like this one, your mind never stops discovering minuscule variations in the weave and pattern. After a short time of owning such a piece, you feel an intimate relationship with it because you’ve come to know its secrets.
The backstory of its unusual color palette and geometrical pattern is that it was woven by craftspeople in India but inspired by craftspeople in Sweden. Scandinavians have been weaving for centuries. Although reindeer and other thickly pelted animals provided furs for insulation and warmth in the subarctic climate, Scandinavian peoples usually preferred woven textiles for bedding.
However, when traveling Vikings brought back oriental rugs from Anatolia and the reaches of the Byzantine Empire, the Swedes learned how to create tight weaves that deterred pests. In addition, they were easier to clean than fur. Adopting the Turkish Ghiordes rug knotting process, they integrated their own folk motifs with those seen on cccc.
The industry of, and demand for, Scandinavian carpets, grew. The tradition of clean, smooth lines and bright designs has been a hallmark of Scandinavian culture for centuries.
India’s rugmaking didn’t bloom until the enlightened ruler Mughal Akbar began bringing artisans, poets, and scholars to his court from all parts of his empire. So delighted was he with the exquisite work of the Persian rug weavers that he invited several to set up workshops and training schools. Indian and Persian styles melded, further promoted by other rulers such as Shah Jahan who commissioned the architect Ustad-Ahmad Lahori to create the Taj Mahal.
Known for meticulous workmanship and a variety of colors, the modern rugs from India gained world renown. The finest area rugs were woven with silks, sheep and cashmere wool, and even golden threads, often incorporating gemstones. Such carpets sometimes required 15 years to complete.
Note the appealing argyle-type pattern in this carpet. Instead of repeating lines intersecting the diamonds, horizontal lines of abrash in contrasting colors unify the rich pattern. Argyle itself developed from a clan tartan in the 17th century but was readily adopted and modified. As you can see here, the journey from Scotland to Sweden to India makes for a unique textile.
Our modern Swedish rugs able to blend in rooms with subtly grayed tones of moss green, muted blues, and pale wood grain. Its calming simplicity reminds you of the softness of a northern forest.