Renowned for her striking, skillfully crafted rugs and carpets made with harmonious color combinations and rich geometric and minimalist patterns, iconic textile designer Ingrid Dessau played an integral role in introducing traditional Scandinavian rug design to the world during the mid-20th century.
Dessau was born in 1923 in Svalöv, an area of Sweden known for its roots in Skåne handicraft traditions. At age 17, she studied weaving, composition, loom-pattern weaving and tapestry at the prestigious Konstfack (University of Arts, Crafts and Design) in Stockholm. Later, she documented folk textiles in watercolor paintings for an archival project at the Kristianstad County Handicraft Association, followed by an internship under textile pioneer Barbro Lundberg-Nilsson at Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s workshop in Bâstad.
In the late 1940s, Dessau won scholarships to study folk crafts in the United States. After traveling to New York City, she met and married Kaj Dessau, a Danish entrepreneur and director of legendary silverware firm Georg Jensen.
While living in New York, the city’s atmosphere and skylines greatly inspired Dessau’s rug designs. Her best known work, a handmade wall hanging called Manhattan, depicts New York City at night, with rows of woven skyscrapers. The mid-century modern tapestry was included in an exhibition titled “Scandinavian Design and USA — People, Encounters and Ideas, 1890-1980” held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo, Norway.
Throughout the 1960s, Dessau produced an impressive collection of Swedish flat-weave rugs such as her reversible, Scandinavian modern Sylarna rug and a range of double-sided carpets featuring intricate patterns and tonal colors. She also designed several Western European and Indian-style rugs and area carpets for manufacturers including Malmöhus Läns Hemslöjd, Doris Leslie Blau and Kinnasand, where she worked as a designer.
Over the course of her career, Dessau received numerous commissions from embassies, banks and museums throughout Europe and North America. Today, her rugs, carpets and tapestries are highly sought by interior designers and collectors of 20th-century Scandinavian textiles.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Ingrid Dessau rugs and carpets.
Swedish reversible flatweave carpet 'Barrskog' by Ingrid Dessau, 1950s
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A beautiful example of Scandinavian mid-century textile design, this reversible flatweave carpet “Barrskog” (meaning “Pine Forest”) was designed by the renowned Swedish textile artis...
Wool
Swedish reversible flatweave carpet by Ingrid Dessau for Kasthall, 1950s
By Ingrid Dessau, Kasthall
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Flatweave carpet designed by artist Ingrid Dessau for Kasthall, Sweden, during the 1950s. Reversible with both sides of beautiful color and patterns.
Wool
Ingrid Dessau Carpet Produced in Sweden
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare carpet designed by Ingrid Dessau produced in Sweden.
Linen
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Ingrid Dessau "Sylarna" Flat-Weave Rug, Reversible, Sweden, 1960's
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ingrid Dessau "Sylarna" flat-weave rug - Reversible - Sweden 1960's 91.3" x 62".
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Double Sided Swedish Rug, Ingrid Dessau, DEKOLET Collection
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Bochum, NRW
Mid-Century Swedish flat-weave rug designed by Ingrid Dessau. Double weaved - this reversible carpet can be used on both sides. Geometric design in shades of marled gray yarns, musta...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Flat Woven Rug by Ingrid Dessau
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Woven Rug by Ingrid Dessau Size: 7'0" × 10'10" (213 × 330 cm) This striking vintage Swedish flat-woven rug by Ingrid Dessau showcases the refined minimalism and ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Swedish Pile Rug by Ingrid Dessau
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Pile Rug by Ingrid Dessau Size: 5'2" × 8'10" (157 × 269 cm). This captivating Swedish pile rug, attributed to renowned textile artist Ingrid Dessau, reflects the bold creativ...
Wool
$11,100Sale Price|40% Off
Ingrid Dessau Flat Weave Swedish Rug for Malmöhus Läns Hemslöjd 1960's
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ingrid Dessau Flat Weave Swedish rug for Malmöhus Läns Hemslöjd 1960's 211 x 204,5 cm, signed MLH ID Four large sun-like ornaments in a variety of red, pink and orange nuances. An ...
Wool, Linen
Mid-20th Century Blue and Brown Geometric Swedish Flatweave Carpet
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Blue and Brown Geometric Swedish Flatweave Carpet Initialed: "ID, KLH" (Ingrid Dessau, Kristianstad Läns Hemslöjd) Sweden, circa 1940 This rug contains various shad...
Wool
Scandinavian Mid-Century Abstract Ivory Carpet Pile Carpet By Ingrid Dessau
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
This captivating Swedish pile carpet, attributed to renowned textile artist Ingrid Dessau, reflects the bold creativity and modern sensibility that defined Swedish mid-century design...
Wool
$13,200Sale Price|20% Off
Nazmiyal Collection Vintage Modernist Ingrid Dessau Rug for Kinnasand 9' x 9'4"
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Square Size Modern Contemporary Ingrid Dessau Rug that Was Designed for Kinnasand, Country of Origin: India, Circa Date: Late 20th Century. Size: 9 ft x 9 ft 4 in (2.74 m x...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Brown and Red Geometric Swedish Flatweave Carpet
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Brown and Red Geometric Swedish Flatweave Carpet Initialed 'ID KLH' (Ingrid Dessau, Kristianstad Läns Hemslöjd) Sweden, circa 1950 A bold, graphic rug defined by sh...
Wool
Scandinavian Mid-Century Abstract Ivory Carpet Pile Rug By Ingrid Dessau
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
This captivating Swedish pile rug, attributed to renowned textile artist Ingrid Dessau, reflects the bold creativity and modern sensibility that defined Swedish mid-century design. W...
Wool
Mid 20th Century Swedish Flat Weave Rug by Ingrid Dessau
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Sweden, ca. 1950 Measures: 13'2" x 9'2" (401 x 279 cm) Signed "KLH ID" (Kristianstad Lans Hemslojd, Ingrid Dessau) Handwoven.
Wool
Nazmiyal Collection Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Kilim Rug 8 ft x 11 ft
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scandinavian Swedish Rug, Country Of Origin: Sweden, Circa Date: Mid-20th Century. Size: 8 ft x 11 ft (2.44 m x 3.35 m)
Wool
Ingrid Dessau Flatweave Rug, Wool, Scandinavian Design, Sweden, 1950s
Located in London, GB
Handwoven. A lovely palette of oatmeal and muted green with brown zigzag detailing and contrast in orange and brown chequered motifs. In fantastic, original condition. 2.20 x 1.50m...
Wool
Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Swedish collection is primarily inspired by vintage Swedish flat-weave rugs, whose geometric designs are relevant as ever in the 21st century. The collection utilizes a number of...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Flat-weave carpet, Sweden, mid-20th century. Initialed: NEJ.
Wool, Linen
Swedish textile designer. Carpet in pure wool. Handwoven. 1960s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Swedish textile designer. Carpet in pure wool. Handwoven. Designed with figures and geometric fields in various colors. Approximately 1960s. In perfect condition. Dimensions: 150 cm ...
Wool
Swedish Rug Flat-weave By Ingegerd Silow
Located in Ferrara, IT
Swedish Rug Flatweave by Ingegerd Silow – 197 × 282 cm This exquisite Swedish Rug flatweave rug is the work of the renowned Swedish artist Ingegerd Silow, celebrated for her master...
Wool
Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave rug Sweden circa 1979 Handwoven.
Wool
Swedish Flatweave Carpet
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Swedish wool flatweave carpet circa 1950's. Signed with woven initials.
Wool
Vintage Hand-Woven Blue Wool Rug by Barbro Nilsson, Sweden
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
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
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
W 65.75 in L 93.9 in
Ulla Parkdal Brown Swedish Flat Weave Hand Woven Rug Signed Up Sweden, 1960's
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdal Brown Swedish flat weave hand woven rug signed up Sweden 1960's A dark brown melange ground with dense rows of stepped medallions in a variety of brown, yellow, grey ...
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Swedish Röllakan Rug
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Dallas, TX
78108 Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Rollakan Rug, 04'06 x 05'11. This handwoven wool vintage Swedish rollakan rug, inspired by the visionary s...
Wool
Scandinavian Modern Rölakan Flatweave Rug by Maj Svanström, Sweden 1950s
By Klockaregardens Hemslojd Scandinavian, Maj Svanström
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Scandinavian Modern Rölakan Flatweave Rug by Maj Svanström for Klockargårdens Hemslöjd, Sweden. This vintage Swedish flatwoven rug, designed by Maj Svan...
Wool, Linen
Swedish Reversible Flatweave Rug ‘Barrskog’ by Ingrid Dessau, 1950s
By Ingrid Dessau, Kasthall
Located in Göteborg, SE
Elegant and richly graphic, this vintage Swedish flatweave rug titled ‘Barrskog’ (Pine Forest) was designed by renowned textile artist Ingrid Dessau in the 1950s. Woven in a bold and...
Wool
Swedish Flat Weave rug by Ingrid Dessau
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Flat Weave rug by Ingrid Dessau Size: 5'8" × 7'1" (172 × 215 cm) A mid-century Swedish flat weave wool rug by by Ingrid Dessau. It is in excellent original condition, consist...
Wool
Sold
W 33.08 in L 122.05 in
Rug ‘Stensöta’ Designed by Ingrid Dessau for Kristianstad Iäns Hemslöjd, Sweden
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Stensöta’ designed by Ingrid Dessau for Kristianstad Iäns Hemslöjd, Sweden. 1953. Handwoven wool. Signed.
Fabric
Ingrid Dessau Double Sided Flat-Weave Swedish Rug, Sweden 1960s
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ingrid Dessau double sided flat-weave swedish rug- Sweden 1960s Ultimate Scandinavian rug designed by Ingrid Dessau. Each side of this Double sided Flat-Weave Swedish rug has a an...
Wool
Sweden Wool Carpet by Ingrid Dessau for kinnasand Carpet, 1990
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Incredibly rare wool rug by the prestigious Ingrid Dessau for Kinnasand exclusively made in India. like new, never been used.
Wool
Rug Designed by Ingrid Dessau, Sweden, 1960’s
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wool. Measures: L: 337 cm/ 11' 1" W: 225 cm/ 7' 4 1/2".
Wool
Vintage Swedish Rug by Ingrid Dessau. Size: 5 ft 5 in x 7 ft 9 in
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scandinavian rug, Sweden, circa mid-20th century. Size: 5 ft 5 in x 7 ft 9 in (1.65 m x 2.36 m)
Wool
Ingrid Dessau Carpet Produced in Sweden
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare carpet designed by Ingrid Dessau. Produced in Sweden.
Wool
Ingrid Dessau Swedish Flat-Weave Rug for Kasthall, Sweden, 1950s
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ingrid Dessau Swedish flat-weave rug for Kasthall, Sweden, 1950s. Size: 82" x 55" Signed by Ingrid Dessau with initials - ID This is an excellent example of Ingrid Dessau's des...
Wool, Linen
Vintage Scandinavian Rug by Ingrid Dessau. Size: 4 ft 7 in x 6 ft 10 in
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scandinavian rug by Textile Artist Ingrid Dessau, Country Of Origin: Sweden, circa mid-20th century –Size: 4 ft 7 in x 6 ft 10 in (1.4 m x 2.08 m) This expressive flat-wov...
Wool
Rug, Designed by Ingrid Dessau, Sweden, 1960s
By Ingrid Dessau
Located in Stockholm, SE
Double woven pure wool. Signature: ID Measures: H 200 cm / 6' 6 3/4" L 140 cm / 4' 7 1/4".
Wool
Sold
W 59.06 in L 95.67 in
Vintage Scandinavian Modern Double Sided Swedish Rug by Ingrid Dessau, 1960s
By Kasthall, Ingrid Dessau
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sunny and thick vintage double sided Swedish rug by Ingrid Dessau, designed for Kasthall. Signed ID. In this particular Swedish rug there are abstracts elements with yellow, orange a...
Wool