Märta Måås-Fjetterström carpet

This exceptionally large and rare flat-weave carpet titled Höstmattan was designed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström and produced by her workshop in Sweden. The original design was conceived in 1918, and this specific example was woven before 1942, situating it firmly within the most important early period of Måås-Fjetterström’s oeuvre. The initials “MMF” woven into the corner confirm authorship and origin from the renowned studio in Båstad.

The composition is based on an orderly rhythm of vertical panels alternating in ground tones of natural cream and warm brown, each section populated with stylized geometric plant motifs in symmetrical arrays. These motifs, resembling eight-pointed leaves or stars, are rendered in a restrained but vibrant palette including ochre yellow, forest green, slate blue, plum purple, rust red, and soft grey. The pattern’s chromatic balance and regular spacing evoke the structured beauty of a cultivated autumnal landscape—hence the title Höstmattan, or “The Autumn Rug”.

The outer border features a narrower repeat of similar motifs enclosed by stepped bands and serrated geometric transitions, with the signature Scandinavian use of earthy tones and vegetal symbolism. The weaving is tight and finely executed in wool on a linen warp, demonstrating the remarkable craftsmanship and material integrity typical of the Märta Måås-Fjetterström studio.

Märta Måås-Fjetterström (1873–1941) was Sweden’s most influential textile artist of the 20th century. Establishing her own workshop in 1919, she redefined the tradition of Swedish weaving by combining vernacular motifs with modernist sensibilities. Her works attracted international acclaim and collaborations with key figures in the Swedish design movement. Carpets such as Höstmattan showcase her synthesis of color, narrative, and abstraction, often grounded in themes drawn from Nordic nature and folklore.

This particular example remains in excellent condition, with full preservation of color and structure. The fibers retain a clean surface, with no visible fading, loss, or wear across the central field or borders. It stands as a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic large-format rugs from the early Swedish modernist period.