Author: [SWEDISH RYA CARPET DESIGNS].
Title: A pupil's work comprising 73 designs for rugs and furniture fabrics. No date or place, but Sweden, ca 1941.
Description: . A collection containing 73 beautiful designs, most of which are painted with water colours on paper, a few b/w printed, pasted on strong paper. The size of the designs varies but most are about 12-17 cm x 20-25 cm. The weaving designs are meant for carpets such as Rya, Rollakan (Röllakan) and Flossa. In addition, there are twenty designs for furniture fabrics including printed patterns of Damast (Damask) and Finnväv (double weave). Housed in a specially made decorated box (21.4 x 34.6 cm). Already in the fourteenth century Scandinavians had developed the art of Rya (or Ryijy). They were specially designed to help the Scandinavian people cope with their notoriously harsh winters. Ryas were made thick with shaggy long piles and mainly used as mantles or bedding rather than floor covering. By the 1880s traditional Scandinavian rugs, especially the thick-piled Ryas, were popular throughout northern Europe. Another type of flat-woven rug was also developed in Sweden, called Rollakan (Röllakan). It's a very distinct style of rug, which is thinner than the Ryas. Rya had been made with abstract, geometric designs for centuries and became hugely popular among modern designers by mid 20th century in Europe and North America. Sweden had several well-known rug designers during this period. Märtha Måås-Fjetterström, probably the most famous, was active between 1919 and 1941.We believe this set belonged to a student at a weaving school. She has copied patterns but also created her own designs, all made in a very delightful and artistic way. Two plates include "1941" in print which means we assume the designs were made around this time. In very good condition.

Keywords: Design, carpet, design, designs, illustrations, röllakan, flossa, rya, fabric, weaving, weave, double weave, damask,


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