Ingegerd Silow tapestry

Wall tapestry titled Vårvinter, designed by Swedish textile artist Ingegerd Silow and produced in Sweden in 1970. The tapestry features an abstract composition of intersecting vertical, horizontal, and diagonal forms, rendered in a harmonious palette of warm ochre, rust brown, charcoal, soft grey, olive green, and natural cream.

The design draws inspiration from the Nordic landscape during the transition between winter and spring, as suggested by its title, Vårvinter, meaning “early spring” or, more literally, “spring-winter”. The composition evokes a forest of bare trees, with angular branches and trunks overlapping against a pale background. Through a careful balance of geometric abstraction and organic references, Silow captures the quiet atmosphere and subtle contrasts of the Scandinavian landscape.

The tapestry is characterized by its richly textured woven surface, where variations in color and yarn create depth and movement throughout the composition. The slightly irregular, stepped outlines of the forms emphasize the nature of the weaving technique, giving the design a distinctive graphic quality. The restrained earthy palette further enhances its connection to nature while reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities of Scandinavian textile design during the mid-20th century.

The elongated vertical format reinforces the impression of a woodland scene, with the intersecting forms extending across the surface in a rhythmic arrangement. The tapestry is finished with a natural fringe along the lower edge and is signed with the woven initials “IS” in the bottom right corner.

Ingegerd Silow was a Swedish textile designer known for her woven rugs and wall hangings, often incorporating abstract interpretations of natural motifs. Her work reflects the Scandinavian tradition of combining craftsmanship, artistic expression, and a strong sensitivity to materials and color.

A decorative example of Swedish textile art from the 1970s, Vårvinter combines a modern abstract composition with the warmth and tactile character of traditional weaving. Its generous proportions and carefully balanced colors make it particularly suitable as a statement wall piece in both contemporary and vintage interiors.

The tapestry is in good vintage condition, with minor signs of age and use consistent with its period.

Dimensions: Width 65 cm (25.6 in), height 182 cm (71.7 in).