Midcentury modern Rya rug, Finland ca. 1965

Mid Century Modern handmade Rya rug, Finland ca. 1965. A Rya tapestry is similar in nature to a knotted Persian carpet. It is comprised of woven rows of weft alternating with rows of knotted yarn. The rya knots are similar to a Ghiordes knot in Persian carpets but are spaced farther apart than those in a Persian carpet and are much larger and longer. This Rya rug has been knotted with pure wool in traditional colors natural white, grey, black and yellow. The pattern finds it’s inspiration in Nordic nature. The Pirkka rug is one of the most beloved rugs in Finland. People had it on the walls of their cottages made of logs for both isolation and decoration. In excellent and clean condition.

The history of Rya rugs goes a long way back. In Norway they were used as bed coverings, the knotted side being closest to the body providing warmth. In Finland, the rya developed further with the use of colour and pattern. Different regions of Finland had unique designs and colors specific to the area using the local plants for dyes.