A modern antique rug is woven with a subtly striped field with shades of taupe and shades of yellow. A linear grid sits on top of the stripe and is accented with diamond shapes. Although the designs of antique and vintage Scandinavian woven rugs were originally inspired by imported textiles, they gradually developed into an innately northern expression. Simple geometric patterns and vignettes from everyday life such as bouquets of flowers, a child's sampler, or a pet dog were incorporated into flat woven tapestries or Swedish pile vintage oriental rugs and carpets, adding charm and immediacy to this folk art. A fresh and appealing aesthetic was sustained during the first half of the twentieth century by the weavings of the celebrated Swedish carpet designer Marta Maas-Fjetterstrom and her circle. The simplicity and purity of design in vintage Scandinavian rugs give them immediate relevance and contemporary desirability.
