Barbro Nilsson carpet

This large tapestry-woven carpet, titled “Bärmatta, Docenten” was designed by Barbro Nilsson in 1946 and executed by the renowned Märta Måås-Fjetterström atelier in Båstad. The carpet bears the woven monogram “AB MMF BN”. Woven in traditional Swedish flatweave technique, the piece is an exemplar of mid-20th century Swedish textile art, balancing structured pattern with organic rhythm.

The design is composed of horizontal stripes in warm shades of red, burgundy, and orange, interspersed with repeated small motifs in contrasting tones of green, grey, blue, and ivory. These decorative elements are distributed in a regular rhythm across the field, giving the impression of berries or buds, lending the piece its name “Bärmatta” meaning “berry rug”. The strict axial composition and restrained geometry reflect Nilsson’s weaving discipline while allowing subtle references to nature and the changing seasons to emerge through the choice of color and form.

Barbro Nilsson (1899–1983) was one of Sweden’s most celebrated textile artists and served as the artistic director of Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB from 1942. Her tenure marked a significant expansion in the studio’s design vocabulary, with a shift toward increasingly abstract and architecturally integrated compositions. “Docenten” is among the series of carpets she developed for specific environments and interior programs, often commissioned for public buildings or large-scale private interiors.

This particular piece originates from the Folksam building at Bohusgatan 10 in Stockholm. It was historically placed in the building’s entrance lobby and served as the designated winter carpet, while a counterpart in blue was rotated in for the summer months. This seasonal practice, common in high-profile interiors of the time, allowed for the architectural tone of a space to be subtly modulated in harmony with Sweden’s shifting light and climate. The carpet’s generous dimensions—500 cm in length and 231 cm in width (approximately 196.9 x 90.9 inches)—speak to its intended function as a statement textile in a prominent architectural context.

The carpet is preserved in excellent condition, with vibrant color retention, intact selvedges, and original fringes. Its provenance, historical placement, and design pedigree all contribute to its importance as a collectible piece of Scandinavian modernist textile design.