Mid-Century Scandinavian Geometric Dark Gray Hand-Knotted Wool Rug Rya Pile Rug “Alvastra Green” By Marianne Richter BB8968 7'8" × 11'0" $17,000

A rare and vibrant example of mid-century Scandinavian textile design, this Swedish Rya rug titled “Alvastra Green” was created in the 1960s by the renowned Swedish textile artist Marianne Richter. Known for her bold use of color and tactile surfaces, Richter infused this piece with organic energy and a painterly sensibility.

Woven with a luxurious long-pile wool in a captivating medley of greens, teals, chartreuse, moss, forest, and black, the rug features a dynamic checkerboard of textured panels. Each square is unique in weave direction, color saturation, and yarn mix—producing a rhythmic, almost topographical composition that evokes dense Scandinavian forests seen from above or abstracted foliage in motion.

The rich tonal variations and deep pile give this piece not only visual depth but also a sumptuous tactile quality. Meticulously hand-knotted, the rug reflects the Swedish Rya tradition updated through a modernist lens—a testament to the post-war Nordic design movement that prized both utility and artistic expression.

Perfect as a floor statement or a wall-hung textile, “Alvastra Green” is more than a rug—it is a masterwork of textile art, embodying the harmonious balance between nature, craft, and modern design that defines Scandinavian aesthetics.

With its unique pattern and refined colors, this vintage rug reflects the impeccable taste of Doris Leslie Blau’s selections. Offering both rare, high-end pieces and more accessible options, Doris Leslie Blau presents rugs in a wide spectrum of prices.