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Judith Johansson

Swedish, 1916-1993

Renowned weaver and textile artist Judith Johansson is credited with designing more than 400 beautiful Scandinavian rugs over her long career. She and her husband, John Johansson, produced the designs under their company JJ Vävateljén for more than five decades, and today vintage Judith Johansson textiles continue to delight Scandinavian modern furniture lovers all over the world. Her work has had an enduring impact on Swedish rug design.

Johansson was born in 1916 in the Sweden village of Trollhättan, known for its breathtaking scenery. The natural backdrop of her childhood influenced much of Johansson's later design work and is visible in the tree- and leaf-like patterns that characterize her textiles. Her father was a builder, her mother was a seamstress and her grandmother taught her to weave at a young age.

Johansson met her future husband when she was 19 years old. John ran a handicraft shop in the village, where he hired weavers to produce rugs and smaller textiles. In 1938, the young couple moved to the town of Knäred and opened their weaving studio. John managed the administrative side of the business so that his talented wife was free to create rich and interesting textile designs. 

Johansson was always looking to improve her craft, and she studied at the School of Textiles in Borås in the late 1940s. She created designs that her studio’s weavers would produce for the Nordiska Kompaniet department stores, and her fabrics were used in works produced by Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten. Johansson’s mid-century flatweave wool rugs became widely known for their integration of warm color pairings and intricate abstract forms and geometric patterns. 

Johansson was eventually invited to fill the role of artistic leader at the Capellagården craft school, which was founded by Malmsten. She declined, opting instead to continue her work at her studio and focus on designing rugs for churches and other organizations. Johansson was awarded a gold medal from her native country’s Royal Patriotic Society (Kungliga Patriotiska Sällskapet) and today her rugs can be found in churches all over Sweden.

After Johansson died in 1993, the business passed to the couple's daughter.

Find vintage Judith Johansson rugs and carpets on 1stDibs.

Vintage Swedish Flat Woven Rug by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Woven Rug by Judith Johansson Size: 6'3" × 10'3" (190 × 312 cm)
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Judith Johansson

Materials

Wool

Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Judith Johansson Size: 6'3" × 8'4" (190 × 254 cm) A vintage Swedish flatwoven rug “Tulpaner” designed by Judith Johansson (1916-1993). The rug is signed...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Judith Johansson

Materials

Wool

Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Judith Johansson Size: 6'0" × 7'10" (182 × 238 cm) A vintage Swedish flatwoven rug “Myosotis” designed by Judith Johansson (1916-1993). The rug is signe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Judith Johansson

Materials

Wool

Vintage Swedish Flat Woven Rug by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Flat Woven rug by Judith Johansson Size: 4'5" × 6'7" (134 × 200 cm) A Swedish flat-weave wool rug dating back to circa 1952, made by Judith Johansson with woven initials (JJ)...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Judith Johansson

Materials

Wool

Rare Swedish Vintage Flatweave Wool Rug "Skogsbryn" by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in Rö, SE
Rare Swedish Vintage Handwoven Flat-Weave Wool Rug "Skogsbryn" by Judith Johansson (1916-1993) Size: 96.5" × 67" (245 cm × 170 cm) Excellent vintage condition consistent with age. A beautiful flat-weave wool rug handmade in Sweden by renowned textile artist Judith Johansson. Signed with woven initials JJ at the corner of the rug. This rare rug celebrates the Swedish forest with its unique patterns and with its name, "Skogsbryn", which means forest edge in English. Its colors are greens, yellows, lilacs and oranges. 100% wool. Made in Sweden in the 1960's. A piece of Scandinavian modern design to bring an edgy yet subdued feeling to your space. Judith Johansson drew inspiration from nature and was commissioned by the Swedish Royal Family. She never made sketches or notes on-site but had a photographic memory, a strong sense of color, and paid careful attention to the symbolism in the sacred textiles...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Judith Johansson

Materials

Wool

Midentury Judith Johansson "Soldis" Swedish Rug
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th century Judith Johansson "Soldis" Swedish beige, blue, yellow, wool rug Size: 6'7" × 8'2" (200 × 248 cm) Midcentury Scandinavian flat-woven wool rug designed by Judith Johan...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Judith Johansson

Materials

Wool

Vintage Swedish Flat Weave Rug by Judith Johansson (Spise Hall)
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Weave Rug by Judith Johansson (Spise Hall) Size: 9'2" × 12'3" (279 × 373 cm) A mid-century Swedish flat-weave wool rug “Spice Hall” by Judith Johansson with wove...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Judith Johansson

Materials

Wool

Judith Johansson Swedish Flat Weave "Björkered" Signed JJ designed Sweden 1962
By Judith Johansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Judith Johansson Swedish Flat Weave "Björkered" Signed JJ designed Sweden 1962 This is a classic and very sought after design and designer. Top class in Swedish designer handwoven ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Judith Johansson

Materials

Wool

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Judith Johansson furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Judith Johansson furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wool and are designed with extraordinary care. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Anna-Greta Sjöqvist, and Erik Lundberg. Prices for Judith Johansson furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $12,250 and can go as high as $12,250, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,250.

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