Swedish Tapestry Woven Rug by Anna Ankarcrona BB9012 4'10" × 8'2" $20,000

An extraordinary example of early 20th-century Swedish textile artistry, this tapestry-woven rug was designed by the noble-born artist and folklorist Anna Ankarcrona and created in 1912 under the distinguished Licium workshop. A rare signed piece, it bears the woven inscription: “LICIUM 19 AA (crowned) -12 BC. KW. FE” — referencing the designer and likely the skilled weavers Beda Carlsson, Karna Wahlberg, and Fina Edlund.

Executed in a sophisticated Art Nouveau style, the rug features a lush polychrome design teeming with stylized foliage, geometric diamonds, and soft floral abstractions. The composition is both rhythmic and richly layered, combining pastel tones of rose, celadon, ochre, blue, and soft gold. The design is framed by a vibrant zigzag border that lends structure and movement, while a golden sunburst motif on the right radiates with symbolic brilliance — a likely nod to Swedish heraldic or mythological themes.

Woven in a traditional flat tapestry weave, the piece is not only decorative but also a testament to the collaboration between artist and artisan — a central philosophy of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Sweden. The dense visual language and expert technique make this textile a collector’s gem and a remarkable artifact of Scandinavian design history.

A prime example of the exclusive and varied Doris Leslie Blau designs, this rug brings luxury and character to any space. Doris Leslie Blau offers a broad and varied pricing spectrum, accommodating collectors and designers across a range of budgets—from modest vintage finds to rare, museum-worthy masterpieces.