Known for her role in popularizing Scandinavian modernism within the decorative arts, Swedish textile designer Barbro Lundberg Nilsson’s mastery of color and form and innovative designs for rugs and tapestries rendered her a substantial contributor to her native country’s legacy of mid-century textile design.
Nilsson was born Barbro Lundberg in 1899 in Malmö. At age 14, she studied weaving at Johanna Brunsson’s Vävskola and, later, at Tekniska Skolan (now Konstfack) in Stockholm, where she displayed a prodigious talent. Her career as a textile designer began in the 1920s when she created large-scale tapestry versions of modern Swedish art. In 1928, she married sculptor Robert Nilsson, and they spent the next few years living in Rome.
After their return to Sweden in the early 1930s, Swedish painter and sculptor Sven Erixson commissioned Nilsson to create a large tapestry as part of a proposal to refurbish the Gothenburg Concert Hall. During this period, she was a designer for influential Swedish textile artist Märta Måås-Fjetterström, who ran an atelier called MMF AB in Båstad. Following Måås-Fjetterström’s death in 1942, Nilsson was appointed manager of MMF AB, which she helmed until 1972.
Nilsson remained prolific throughout the mid-20th century. Not only did she manage MMF AB — working with the likes of designers Marianne Richter and Ann-Mari Forsberg — but she was also the director of Konstfack’s textiles department from 1947 to 1957. During this time, she became well-known throughout Sweden and Europe for her innovative use of color, provocative patterns and weaving techniques, such as flossa, haute-lisse, flatweave and knotted high-pile to create her impressive hand-woven Scandinavian rugs and carpets.
Nilsson produced tapestries, rugs and decorative textiles for the Supreme Court of Sweden, the Swedish embassy in Moscow, Russia and Helsingborg’s City Library. She also created decorative textiles for more than 40 Swedish churches, including several church restoration projects helmed by her brother, the famed Swedish architect Erik Lundberg. For her outstanding contributions to culture, Sweden’s royal Litteris et Artibus awarded her a medal in 1948.
Even after she died in 1983, Nilsson’s reputation endures. Her work is held in the collections of the National Museum of Sweden and museums in Gothenburg and Malmö, Copenhagen, Denmark and Trondheim, Norway.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Barbro Nilsson rugs, carpets and wall decorations.
Barbro Nilsson for AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström 'Snäckorna' Carpet
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Barbro Nilsson for AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, carpet, model ‘Snäckorna’, wool on linen warp, Sweden, design 1943, production afterwards Exceptional hand-woven carpet designed by th...
Wool, Linen
Märta Måås-fjetterström “Schackrutig Brun” Brown Grid Carpet Signed Ab Mmf Bn
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Barbro Nilsson, easily Sweden’s greatest colorist of the Twentieth Century, shows us here that she can do subtlety as well as statement. This example, with a small amount of contrast...
Wool, Linen
Pillow, 'Nejlikan Röd', in Wool by Barbro Nilsson, 1950
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pillow, 'Nejlikan Röd', in Wool by Barbro Nilsson, 1950 Additional Information: Material: Wool Style: Mid Century, Scandinavian Pillow Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB in Swed...
Wool
Vintage Hand-Woven Blue Wool Rug by Barbro Nilsson, Sweden
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Drawing inspiration from the ocean, this vintage hand-woven Swedish rug, called the Snäckorna pattern, has strands of sea shells repeatadly strewn over a surface of varying blues. A ...
Wool
Mid 20th Century Marta Maas-Fjetterström AB Swedish Rug Signed by Barbro Nilsson
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage hand-woven Swedish rug has a tonal overall field of camel, beige, sage and gray interwoven serrated geometric motif, overlaid by polychrome scattered tribal lozenges row...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Marta Maas-Fjetterström AB Swedish Rug Signed by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage handwoven Swedish rug has a checkered overall field of tonal taupe diagonal rows separated by tribal stripes. Signed by the original artist and workshop. About the Ma...
Wool
1950s "Kvadrater" Tapestry by Barbro Nilsson
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful vintage tapestry in a design called "Kvadrater" by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås Fjetterström Studio in Båstad, Sweden. Design consists of squares in muted purple, green an...
Wool, Linen
Rare "Grönlock" Rya rug by Barbro Nilsson, Märta Måås Fjetterström AB
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Rare Rya rug called "Grönlock" by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås Fjetterström studio in Båstad, Sweden. Designed in 1945 when Barbro Nilsson was the director of the MMF studio. In a v...
Wool
$28,000Sale Price|20% Off
Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-fjetterström "Solfläckar" Sunspots Tapestry
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This tapestry-woven flat weave may be among the pinnacles of achievement for Barbo Nilsson at Märta Måås-Fjetterström. The colors are just as harmonious in 2022 as they were in 1955...
Wool, Linen
‘Strålblomman Grå’ Carpet by Barbro Nilsson, 1952
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
‘Strålblomman Grå’ Carpet by Barbro Nilsson, 1952 Additional Information: Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB in Sweden Dimensions (W x D): 290 x...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Initialed:AB MMF BN
Wool
Mid-20th Century Marta Maas-Fjetterström AB Swedish Rug by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage handwoven Swedish rug has a polychrome field of lapis, ivory, chardonnay, and artichoke graphic geometric star-motif, in a checkered polychrome border with similar whims...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th century Swedish pile carpet Sweden ca. 1947 handwoven Initialed: AB MMF BN (Barbro Nilsson for AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström ).
Wool
Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet by Barbro Nilsson, 1964
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
"Paula, Gul." Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet Sweden, ca. 1964 Initialed: AB MMF, BN (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson)
Wool
Nazmiyal Collection Vintage Barbro Nilson Kilim Rug 1 ft 8 in x 2 ft 4 in
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Vibrant Yellow Vintage Swedish Barbro Nilson Signed Rug, Country of origin: Scandinavia, Circa date: Vintage
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Flat Weave Carpet, "FALURUTAN, MÖRK"
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat weave, initialed: AB MMF BN (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson) Provenance: Zoégas Kaffe, Nestlé Sverige AB
Wool
Barbro Nilsson Carpet ‘Strålblomman Röd’ Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare carpet ‘Strålblomman Röd’ designed by Barbro Nilsson. Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB in Sweden.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Marta Maas-Fjetterström, Swedish Rug by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage handwoven Swedish rug has a sandy saffron field with overall design of overlapping diagonal and curved delicate stripes, enclosed by central polychrome striped column an...
Wool
Barbro Nilsson "Randig Med Tvist" Carpet
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Pawtucket, RI
A graphic and beautifully colored handwoven wool Randig Med Tvist flat-weave carpet by Swedish textile artist Barbro Nilsson for Marta Maas-Fjetterstrom...
Wool
Swedish Pile Rug by Märta Måås-fjetterström and Barbro Nilsson
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Pile Rug by Märta Måås-Fjetterström and Barbro Nilsson Initialed: AB MMF BN (Märta Måås-Fjetterström , Barbro Nilsson) Handwoven.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Swedish pile carpet, initialed AB MMF, BN (Barbro Nilsson, AB Marta Maas-Fjetterström).
Wool
Swedish Flat-Weave Rug/Runner by AB Märta Måås-fjetterström and Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave rug/runner Initialed: AB MMF BN (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström Barbro Nilsson) Handwoven.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th century Swedish pile carpet. Initialed: AB MMF BN (AB Marta Maas-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson). Sweden ca. 1945 8'1" x 5'10" (246 x 178 c...
Wool
Swedish Flat Weave Rug by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
'Rosengång' Swedish flat-weave rug by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström Sweden, circa 1943 Initialed: AB MMF, BN (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson) Handwoven.
Wool
Late 20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
"Ostia Grön" Initialed: AB MMF, BN (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson).
Wool
Rug ‘Sun Spots’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, MMF
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Sun Spots’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Sweden, 1966. Wool. Signed. Tapestry technique. Provenance: From a private Swedish collection. The int...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
"Spattan Brun". Initialed: AB MMF BN (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson).
Wool
Mid-20th Century Märta Måås-Fjetterström Swedish Deco Rug by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage handwoven Swedish Deco rug, titled Tigerfällen, has a raspberry red field with broad tribal X-motif pattern formed by varying bold to dotted stripes, in a thin raspberry...
Wool
Vintage Turkish Wool Pillow
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Vintage RUG PILLOW Unique pillow has been made with a turkish rug, in multiple white tones, and some variations of white woven through with stripe...
Wool, Linen, Down
Early 20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Rug by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Sweden, circa 1914 Initialed: MMF (Märta Måås-Fjetterström) Sold as a pair. #02767 measures 8' 7" x 5' 5". #02807 measures 8' 10" x 5' 6". Handwoven.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th century Swedish pile carpet. Sweden ca. 1942 Initialed: MMF (Märta Måås-Fjetterström). Handwoven
Wool
$279Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 23 in D 5 in
Custom Hand Stitched Wool Patchwork Pillow in Blush Wool
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Mirna lumbar pillow commissioned and handmade by the craftswomen of Chiloé. The textiles are made with 100% wool from ’Chilota’ sheep, that are born and raised on the island.?The pro...
Wool, Down
"Firenze" Wool Pillow
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Handwoven and hand tufted dark brown wool decorative pillow with individually channeled and fringe details which add texture and tactile quality embellishment. All pillows are unique...
Wool
Schumacher Montana Wool Plaid 22" Pillow in Neutral
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Montana Wool Plaid with a knife edge finish. Montana Wool Plaid in neutral is a fine, tightly woven houndstooth check with an overstripe that adds lovely depth a...
Wool
Swedish Inspired Kilim Rug, Scandinavian Modern Meets Biophilic Design
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Dallas, TX
30797 New Swedish Style Kilim Rug Inspired by Barbro Nilsson and Marta Maas-Fjetterstrom 08'10 x 11'02. With its simplicity, geometric design a...
Wool
Mid 20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Mid 20th century Swedish pile carpet Sweden ca. 1940 Signed "AB MMF" (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström) Handwoven 8'8" x 5'4" (264 x 163 cm)
Wool
20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet by Märta Måås-Fjetterström Sweden, circa 1941 'Porcelain Carpet' (Porslinmattan) Initialed 'MMF' (Märta Måås-Fjetterström) Swedish flat-weave t...
Wool
Geometric Rya Carpet by Marta Maas-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A fine geometric pile carpet by Marta Maas-Fjetterström, circa 1960s, "Gul Primavera," signed MMF AB.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Rug by Ab Märta Måås-fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Sweden, circa 1945 Initialed 'AB MMF BN' (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson) Handwoven Measures: 7'3" x 5'1" (221 x 155 cm).
Wool
Mid-20th Century Marta Maas-Fjetterström AB Swedish Rug by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage handwoven Swedish rug has a polychrome field of lapis, ivory, chardonnay, and artichoke graphic geometric star-motif, in a checkered polychrome border with similar whims...
Wool
Vintage "Näckroser" Tapestry by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage "Näckroser" tapestry by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterströms atelier in Båstad, Sweden. Wool inlay on linen in green shades and red details decapitating water lilies. ...
Wool
"Nejlikan blå" Tapestry by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful vintage tapestry in a design called "Nejlikan Blå" by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås Fjetterström Studio in Båstad, Sweden. Designed around 1950 it has the same pattern as s...
Wool
Sold
H 17.72 in W 18.12 in D 0.2 in
Scandinavian Modern "Green Twig" Vintage Wall Tapestry by Barbro Nilsson, 1950s
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Scandinavian Modern vintage handwoven wall tapestry by Barbro Nilsson, from Märta Måås Fjetterström workshop in Båstad, The name is "Green Twig", (Grön kvist). Monogramsign (BN). (46...
Wool, Linen
Rug ‘Salerno Green’ Designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF, Sweden, 1948
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Salerno Green’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF, Sweden. 1948. Wool. Signed. Rölakan technique. This rug, designed in 1948, belongs to Barbro Nilsson’s renown...
Wool
Rug ‘Salerno Grey’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF AB, Sweden, 1948
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Salerno Grey’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Sweden, 1948. Hand-woven wool. Rölakan technique. Signed. Provenance: From a private Swedish collect...
Wool
Rug 'Spättan' Designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF AB, Sweden, 1943
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Spättan’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF, Sweden, 1943. Wool. Signed. Measures: H: 337 cm / 11' 3/4'' W: 203 cm / 6' 8''.
Wool
Rug ‘Salerno Green’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF, Sweden, 1954
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Salerno Green’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for MMF, Sweden, 1954. Wool. Signed. Barbro Nilsson designed her renowned collection of ‘Salerno’ textiles at the request of a very special commission. n 1947, a freight plane carrying twenty-five Swedish Air...
Wool
Sold
W 60.63 in L 86.03 in
Swedish Barbo Nilsson Märta Måås-Fjetterström "Rödlock" Red Onion Pile Carpet
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The daughter of an architect, Barbro Nilsson began weaving and experimenting with synthetic and vegetable color dye at the age of 14. A tenacious spirit with a boat-load of life-long energy, she perfected gobeläng tapestry weaving and brought that revived innovation to Märta Måås-Fjetterström when she was named the first director of its limited company in 1942 at the age of 43, after the death of Märta Måås-Fjetterström. But her truest talent may have been as a colorist, and this pile carpet is an extraordinary example of that: pink, brown, white, and sea foam green without being cloying. It is also a very rare carpet. The dominant color is exactly that of its name, with the important distinction that the red onion be pickled. This carpet looks good in many contexts, and would show very well hung...
Wool
Sold
W 42.13 in L 56.3 in
Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström "Enbär" Juniper Berry Swedish Carpet
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Off of hold after a fresh wash and lash restoration. Please note there is no longer fringe on this rug. Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström "Enbar," or Juniper Berry, sma...
Wool, Linen
Sold
H 16.54 in W 16.54 in D 0.4 in
Scandinavian Märta Måås-fjetterström Tapestry, "Little Star" by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
"Little Star" or "Lilla Stjärnan" is a vintage mid-20th century hand woven textile from Marta Maas-Fjetterström's workshop in Båstad, Sweden, designed by Barbro Nilsson. The ground...
Wool, Linen
Rug “Violetta” Designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sweden, 1961. Hand knotted pile technique. Signed 'AB MMF'. Measures: L: 334 cm / 11' W: 125 cm / 4' 1 1/4''.
Fabric
Rug “Rabatten Gul” Designed by Barbro Nilsson, Sweden, 1944
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Hand knotted pile technique. Signed ‘BN’ L: 310 cm / 10’ 2” W: 204 cm / 6’ 8 1/2".
Fabric