The modern design movement emerged in the 1920’s and has moved forward interpreting modern design through the mid 20th century. Modernism reflected the transition from the era of the Victorian salons into the era of café society.
Art
Deco represented high fashion and luxury in France. The studios of
Emile Jacques Ruhlmann, Jules Leleu, Paul Follot and Maurice Dufrene are
probably the best known for interior decoration. Ivan Da Silva Bruhns and
Paule Leleu, the daughter of Jules Leleu designed rugs for the house of
Leleu while Suzanne Guiguichon was designing rugs for Maurice Dufrene.
Other important rug designers included Marion
Dorn, Jules Coudyser, Rene Crevel and Vladimir Boberman. Bold colorful
floral designs and graphic geometric patterns were equally popular.
Simultaneously
the Bauhaus school was founded in Germany with the philosophy of
marrying fine art training and apprenticeships with craftsmen and
theoretical instruction. The Bauhaus weavers included Johannes Iten,
Gunta Stolz and Anni Albers. The Bauhaus school and movement is credited
with having unsurpassed influence on design and is clearly apparent in
Scandinavian rug design.
Scandinavian
rugs and most importantly Swedish Rugs have become known for intricate
weaving techniques, exceptional color palettes and most importantly
their compatibility with modern and also contemporary interiors. Marta
Maas-Fjetterstrom is widely recognized as one of the most influential
Designers and Weavers of Swedish rugs establishing her own company in
1919. Barbro Nilsson became the director and chief designer of the
company in 1942 after Marta Maas-Fjetterstroms death the year before.
Other important designers of Swedish rugs in the mid century include
Ingrid Dessau, Marin Hemmingson, Sigvard Bernadotte, Brita Grahn, Edna
Martin and Viola Grasten. All of whom were designing throughout the mid
20th century and even later.
Rug
production in China during this period was clearly influenced by the
Art Deco rugs being produced in France. Chinese Deco rugs tend to be
more floral than geometric but both styles were made. They do appear to
have an Asian influence as well particularly in the use of colors and
occasionally bamboo vines and leaves but are clearly modern in the scale
of the design.
Also
included in the Vintage category of rugs are Moroccan rugs which have
tribal patterns that are graphic and geometric. Moroccan rug motifs
influenced designers such as Ivan Da Silva Bruhn and Vladimir Boberman. American Interior Designer Francis Elkins used them in some of her most notable interiors in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Simultaneously
the modernist movement was growing in the United States and was widely
accepted here probably as a result of major exhibitions at the Museum of
Modern Art and at the Metropolitan Museum. Some of the most notable
textile and rug designers working in the United States included Donald
Desky, Stanislov V’Soske, Eliel Saarinen, Loja Saarinen (the mother of
Eero Saarinen) and Ruth Reeves. After the close of the Bauhaus school
many of the architects and designers associated with the school
immigrated to The United States including Josef and Anni Albers.
Stylistically
Vintage rugs have the same appeal as vintage furniture. They are
clearly defined by the 20th century and by the celebration of new ideas
and values for a modern lifestyle. Fine art and fine craftsmanship are the main components of Vintage Rug design.
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