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.
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
$23,999Sale Price|20% Off
W 132 in L 178 in
Antique Oushak Carpet, Oriental Rug, Handmade Ivory, Muted Shrimp, Soft Coral
Located in Port Washington, NY
West Anatolia is one of the largest weaving regions in Turkey. Since the 15th century, Turkish rugs have always been on top of the list for having fine Oriental rugs. Oushak rugs su...
Wool
$9,300
W 69.69 in L 94.49 in
Ararat Rugs Bidjar Rug - 19th Century Design Persian Revival Carpet Natural Dyed
By Ararat Rugs
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Bidjar rug designed in the 19th century from the Bidjar region, also known as Bijar, which is a region in northwestern Iran known for producing some of the finest and most ...
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
$76,799Sale Price|20% Off
W 149 in L 264 in
Antique Oushak Carpet, Oriental Rug, Handmade Ivory, Muted Shrimp, Soft Saffron
Located in Port Washington, NY
This exceptional allover design Oushak carpet, woven in West Anatolia circa 1900, exemplifies the timeless elegance and artisanal mastery for which these rugs are celebrated. Disting...
Wool
$7,999Sale Price|20% Off
W 48 in L 79 in
Vintage Navajo Carpet, Oriental Rug, Handmade Wool Rug, Red, Black, Ivory, Bold
Located in Port Washington, NY
Navajo rugs and blankets are textiles produced by Navajo people of the Four Corners area of the United States. Navajo textiles are highly regarded and have been sought after as trade items for over 150 years. Commercial production of handwoven blankets and rugs has been an important element of the Navajo economy. As one expert expresses it, "Classic Navajo serapes...
Wool
$28,799Sale Price|20% Off
W 156 in L 189 in
Antique Oushak Carpet, Oriental Rug, Handmade Ivory, Muted Coral, Soft Green
Located in Port Washington, NY
West Anatolia is one of the largest weaving regions in Turkey. Since the 15th century, Turkish rugs have always been on top of the list for having fine oriental rugs. Oushak rugs su...
Wool
Very Large Hand Woven Scandinavian Rug from the 60's by Berit Woelfer
By Berit Woelfer
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very large Scandinavian rug from the 60's by the Swedish artist Berit Woelfer. Flat weaving technique (rillakan), wool on linen. Traditional geometrical ...
Wool, Linen
$7,630
W 70.87 in L 106.3 in
Jaipur Rugs 6X9 Feet Hand Knotted Carpet Bamboo Silk And Zari Ivory Modern Rug
By JAIPUR RUGS
Located in Milano, IT
Discover the soulful touch of home with this modern rug , a brand deeply rooted in a commitment to quality and innovation. This exclusive creation, woven with passion from bamboo sil...
Silk
$12,799Sale Price|20% Off
W 113 in L 159 in
Antique Oushak Carpet, Oriental Rug, Handmade Green, Saffron, Ivory and Coral
Located in Port Washington, NY
Turkish carpet from Oushak with a combination of soft colors having an all-over design. Finely woven, having the most superb wool found in the mountains of Anatolia. This is a fine e...
Wool
Scandinavian Carpet Woven Rug Pink Rollakan Rolakan Carpet Swedish, G120
By Ingegerd Silow
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very large scandinavian rug from the 60s. Flat weaving technique (rillakan), wool on linen. Traditional geometrical patterns in pink, white and ...
Wool, Linen
$28,799Sale Price|28% Off
W 161 in L 197 in
Antique Turkish Angora Oushak Carpet, Handmade Oriental Rug Shrimp, Pink, Ivory
Located in Port Washington, NY
West Anatolia is one of the largest weaving regions in Turkey. Since the 15th century, Turkish rugs have always been on top of the list for having fine oriental rugs. Oushak rugs s...
Wool
Novelty High Pile Rug, Sweden 1960s
Located in Rīga, LV
Vintage high pile wool rug with a novelty motif. Additional information: Country of manufacture: Sweden Period: 1960s Dimensions: W 55 cm x D 130 cm Condition: After professional cl...
Wool
$15,999Sale Price|20% Off
W 174 in L 224 in
Antique Indian Agra Carpet, Hunting Rugs, Oriental Rugs, Red, Gold, Ivory, Brown
Located in Port Washington, NY
Agra rugs are the most highly sought after of any 19th century Indian rugs today. Agra rugs were extremely well-made heavy durable rugs and are considered the best of Indian rugs. ...
Wool