Märta Måås-Fjetterström pillow

This rare and large pillow, designed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström and produced in the 1940s by her esteemed workshop in Sweden, is a distinguished example of mid-20th-century Swedish textile art. It reflects the hallmark qualities of Måås-Fjetterström’s legacy—masterful weaving technique, subtle color harmony, and a synthesis of folk tradition with modernist abstraction.

The front of the pillow features an intricate geometric pattern composed of interlocking squares and cross motifs, arranged in a rhythmic and balanced composition. The design is both decorative and structural, displaying the clarity of form and attention to proportion that defined Måås-Fjetterström’s work. The woven surface is tightly constructed, showcasing the artisanal precision of her workshop’s handloom production.

The color palette consists of rich, earthy tones: olive green, beige, deep indigo blue, and muted orange are the dominant hues, accented with soft cream and grey tones. These colors are typical of the natural dyes and wool blends used in the Märta Måås-Fjetterström atelier, and they retain their vibrancy due to the high-quality materials and traditional dyeing techniques employed.

The pillow is rectangular in format and generously scaled, measuring 70 x 60 cm (27.6 x 23.6 inches). The edges are finished with hand-knotted fringes, adding a tactile border that enhances the handcrafted character of the piece. The reverse side features a contrasting striped pattern, executed in a simpler rhythm that provides visual variety while maintaining cohesion with the front’s detailed composition.

Condition is good vintage. The woven surface remains structurally intact with no major disruptions or repairs. The colors are well preserved, though minor fading and light wear, particularly to the fringes, are visible—consistent with age and use over several decades. These signs of wear contribute to the authenticity and historical integrity of the textile.

Märta Måås-Fjetterström (1873–1941) is among Sweden’s most celebrated textile designers, known for founding her workshop in Båstad in 1919. Her designs blended Swedish folk motifs with the aesthetics of early modernism, resulting in a body of work that remains influential and collectible. Although she passed away in 1941, her atelier continued to produce her designs under the direction of skilled weavers, including this pillow from the 1940s.

This piece represents a rare opportunity to acquire a textile that not only embodies the high craftsmanship and stylistic innovation of Swedish weaving but also serves as a testament to one of the most important figures in 20th-century Scandinavian decorative arts.