A CARPET. Knotted pile. 805 x 320,5 cm. Designed by either Agda Österberg or Maja Andersson (Wirde)
for the Plenary Chamber at the Patents and Registration Office, Stockholm. Woven at Handarbetets Vänner, Stockholm. According to the invoice from the 16th September 1920 the cost of this carpet was 7.280 kr then. A red melange stripe patterned ground with small polychrome squares and by the ends geometric shapes. A wide red melange main border with geometric shapes as well as medallions with alternately flowers and animals.
Partly worn, slightly dirty, minor stains and repairs, re-knotted areas, insignificant holes. The sides and ends have minor fold wear, ribbon lined ends.
Provenance
The Plenary Chamber at the Patents and Registration Office, Valhallavägen 136 in Stockholm. This monumental building was designed in 1911-1921 by the architect Ragnar Östberg and was inaugurated the 30st September 1921 with the presence of the King Gustaf V and the princess Ingeborg. The architect Ragnar Östberg is most famous for the Swedish Town Hall where the Nobel Prize Festivities take place every year.
Literature
Compare with Svenska Slöjdföreningens Tidskrift, Stockholm 1920, andra häftet, plate page 31; Andersson, Marie, Stockholms universitet, Reproenheten 1995: Textilkonstnärinnan Maja Andersson Wirde.