Name/Title
Handmade Rya rugEntry/Object ID
2010.52.1Description
Handmade Rya rug that was made by Hjordis Olson around 1977. Olson was the wife of Arthur Olson who was very active in Chicago's Swedish community. The rug was eventually won in a raffle by the donor, probably a church raffle. The rug is composed of 21 squares, four of which are green, four of which are aqua, three of which are yellow, three of which are brown, two of which are maroon, two of which are a combination of purple and violet, red, and one of which is pink.Context
Rya is one of the oldest techniques of Scandinavian rug making, dating back to the Middle Ages. Originally, they were made with wool and used for bedding.
In 1690, women in Stockholm began weaving a new kind of rya with patterns that mimicked Baroque floral patterns. This rya style had shorter piles of wool and incorporated designs and motifs, ultimately changing the function of rya rugs from formative to decorative. In the 1970s, rya rugs became popular in the United States and had a similar appearance to shag carpets.Acquisition
Accession
2010.52Source or Donor
Wallbrach, VickyAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Vicky WallbrachMade/Created
Date made
1977Place
Country
United StatesContinent
North AmericaLexicon
LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Handicraft, Rugs, Textile artSearch Terms
Textile craftsDimensions
Height
67-1/4 inWidth
31-1/2 inDepth
1/4 inReproductions
Notes
Reproduction of the Museum's artifacts for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires written permission.
