Swedish Multicolored Pile Rya Rug by Ingrid Hollman Knafve BB5307 5'0" × 7'3" $8,000

This midcentury vintage Swedish Pile Rya rug by Ingrid Hollman Knafve is a unique presentation of pink and other multicolored abstract motifs on a field of beige-to-white gradient. The muted earthiness of this carpet (produced circa 1950) is an intriguing contrast to its modernist design. A rya is a traditional Scandinavian wool vintage rug with a long pile of about 1 to 3 inches. They were made using a form of the Ghiordes knot to make the double-sided pile fabric.

The first ryas originated in the early fifteenth century as coarse, long-piled, heavy covers used by mariners instead of furs. As time progressed, the Scandinavian rugs crossword have evolved to be lighter and more colorful. The insulation that ryas provide protect against the cold Scandinavian climate. Each knot in a rya is composed of three strands of wool, which enables the antique rug to exhibit rich texture from all the different shades of color.