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.
Swedish Mid-century rug "Kärrmark" by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Mid-Century Rug called Kärrmark by Judith Johansson. Designed in 1955 and featuring a blue background with a kaleidoscope design in green, pink and purple shades. Judith Joha...
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Judith Johansson "Björkhult" Large Flat-Weave Rug, Sweden, 1960s
By Judith Johansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Judith Johansson "Björkhult" Large Flat-Weave Rug, Sweden, 1960s This very large mid-century Swedish flat-weave rug “Björkhult” by Judith Johansson in brown, beige and yellow. Bjö...
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A Stained-Glass Reverie: Judith Johansson Swedish Röllakan Masterwork Fönstret
By Judith Johansson
Located in Dallas, TX
78490 Vintage Swedish Kilim Rollakan rug, measures 06'01 x 08'04. A triumph of Scandinavian Modern textile art, this handwoven vintage Swedish rollakan—Fonstret, designed by the reve...
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Vintage Flatweave Rug by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique Scandinavian rug was hand-woven by renowned weaver and textile artist, Judith Johansson in Sweden circa 1955. Features woven signature, ‘JJ’, to edge.
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Doris Leslie Blau 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: 6'8" × 9'4" (203 × 284 cm) This striking vintage Swedish flat-weave rug, designed by renowned textile artist Judith Johansson...
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Doris Leslie Blau 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) This exceptional mid-century Swedish flat-weave rug, designed by renowned textile artist Judith J...
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Mid-century Swedish Flatweave Rug Signed by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This mid-century Swedish flatweave rug has a charcoal-brown field with two vertical columns and three horizontal rows of pistachio-green, sky-blue, light blue and purple small spaced...
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Doris Leslie Blau Mid-20th Century Swedish Flat Woven Rug by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Swedish flat woven rug by Judith Johansson Size: 5'5" × 8'0" (165 × 243 cm) This exceptional vintage Swedish flat-weave rug, attributed to renowned textile artist Ju...
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Rug ‘Hallandsåsen’ designed by Judith Johansson, Sweden, 1960s
By Judith Johansson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Hallandsåsen’ designed by Judith Johansson, Sweden, 1960s. Wool. Signed. L: 300 cm W: 200 cm Length with fringes: 310 cm
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$7,640Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
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Signed Judith Johansson Sommarflör Vintage Scandinavian Blue Swedish Röllakan
By Judith Johansson
Located in Dallas, TX
78470 Judith Johansson Vintage Swedish Rollakan Rug, 06'03 x 08'03. This handwoven wool vintage Sommarflor rollakan rug, designed by Swedish textile artist Judith Johansson in 1988, ...
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Judith Johansson Vintage Swedish Röllakan Rug, Bollalt
By Judith Johansson
Located in Dallas, TX
78492 Vintage Swedish Kilim Rollakan Rug by Judith Johansson, 05'11 x 07'03. With its Scandinavian Modern style, incredible detail and texture, this handwoven wool vintage Swedish ro...
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Doris Leslie Blau 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) The vintage Swedish flat-woven rug "Myosotis" by Judith Johansson (1916–1993) is a masterful example...
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Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Rug by Judith Johansson Spice Hall
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Woven rug by Judith Johansson (Spice hall) Size: 7'5" × 9'9" (226 × 297 cm) The Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Rug known as "Spise Hall," designed by the esteemed J...
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Judith Johansson "Spice Hall" Flat Weave, Signed JJ. Sweden 1960's
By Judith Johansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Judith Johansson "Spice Hall" flat weave, Signed JJ. Sweden 1960's Measures - 111.8" × 79.9" Designed in 1961. "Spice Hall" is a hand woven flat-weave rug with a field of shapes in...
Wool, Linen
1950's Judith Johansson Swedish Scandinavian Modern Röllakan, Dvärgbjörk
By Judith Johansson
Located in Dallas, TX
78489 Vintage Swedish Kilim Rollakan Rug by Judith Johansson, 06'04 x 08'07. This captivating vintage Swedish rollakan rug, titled "Dvärgbjörk" (Dwarf Birch), is a stunning creation ...
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Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Rug by Judith Johansson Spise Hall
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Rug by Judith Johansson Spise Hall Size: 6'10" × 9'0" (208 × 274 cm) The Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Rug known as "Spise Hall," designed by the esteemed Judith Johans...
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Doris Leslie Blau 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) The vintage Swedish flat-weave rug by Judith Johansson, crafted circa 1952, exemplifies mid-20th-century ...
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Swedish Flat-Weave Rug by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave rug by Judith Johansson Sweden, circa 1950s. Handwoven Initialled: JJ (Judith Johansson).
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Doris Leslie Blau 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) This exquisite vintage flat-woven rug is a brilliant example of Scandinavian textile design, crafted b...
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Signed Judith Johansson Vintage Handwoven Midcentury Swedish Flat-Weave
By Judith Johansson
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A Swedish flat-weave wool rug dating back to circa 1952, made by Judith Johansson with woven initials (JJ) at the corner. This vintage handwoven Swedish rug has a shaded blue overall...
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"Spise Hall" 20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
"Spise Hall" 20th century Swedish, flat-weave carpet Initialed "JJ" Judith Johansson. Sweden ca. 1961
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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...
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Swedish Mid-Century Rölakan Rug Handwoven Wool Carpet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern vintage handmade Swedish carpet in wool featuring a geometric pattern. This blueish colored Scandinavian rug dates between 1950 and 1970. The tradition of qualit...
Wool
$1,496Sale Price|20% Off
W 54.34 in L 80.32 in
Vintage Swedish Flatweave Rug – by Birgitta Södergren, Signed “BS”, ca. 1950
By Svensk Hemslöjd
Located in Bochum, NRW
This vintage flatweave rug was handwoven in Sweden in the 1950s. Designed by Birgitta Södergren. It features a geometric pattern in green, beige, and brown tones. Made with the tra...
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Nordic Rug Rollakan Swedish Signed Piece
Located in Ferrara, IT
Invigorate your home space with the Swedish Rollakan Rug! This simple yet eye-catching Scandinavian design features a soft color palette, and is crafted using traditional flat weavin...
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Swedish Style Flat-Weave Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Mansour Modern Swedish collection is primarily inspired by vintage Swedish flat-weave rugs, whose geometric designs are relevant as ever in the 21st century. The collection utili...
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Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Rug, 1920
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish flat-weave rug Vintage Scandinavian stripe pattern in ivory with a variety of grey and brown nuances. Sides have a border with a flat pattern in different brown nuan...
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Swedish Rug Flatweave Multicolor
Located in Ferrara, IT
This Swedish Rug, measuring 66 x 179 cm, is a visual symphony of colors, expertly woven to bring a touch of lively elegance to any space. The stripes of beige, blue, navy, white, gre...
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Swedish Mid-Century Rölakan Rug Handwoven Wool Carpet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern vintage handmade Swedish carpet in wool featuring a geometric pattern. This greyish colored Scandinavian rug dates between 1950 and 1970. The tradition of qualit...
Wool
Scandinavian Runner Swedish Rollakan Abstract Design
Located in Ferrara, IT
Introducing the Scandinavian Runner Swedish Rollakan, Red Field Color Minimalist Design Signed FF! This is a timeless piece of furniture that will bri...
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Flat Wave Swedish Rug
By C&N Svängsta AB
Located in Long Island City, NY
Late 20th century flat wave rug produced by Svangsta Mattvaveri AB, Sweden. Dimensions 6'7" x6'7". Very good condition.
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Vintage Swedish Flatweave Rug by Ulla Parkdal, Signed “UP”
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish flat weave rug by Ulla Parkdal Size: 5'2" × 7'10" (157 × 238 cm) Color: Beige, brown, gold, yellow. This captivating vintage flatweave rug, designed by renowned Swedi...
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Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave rug Sweden circa 1979 Handwoven.
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Spise Hall rug by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Swedish Mid-Century Rug called Spise hall by Judith Johansson. Designed in 1961 and featuring a blue background with a kaleidoscope design in green, pink and purple shades. Judith Johansson was a Swedish textile designer active from the 1930s through the 1980s working in her own studio in south of Sweden. The Spise Hall rug...
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New Contemporary Scandinavian Swedish Inspired Röllakan
By Judith Johansson
Located in Dallas, TX
30976 New Judith Johansson Scandinavian Swedish Style Kilim Rug, 09'10 x 10'03. This contemporary handwoven wool Swedish-style kilim rug presents a sophisticated reinterpretation of ...
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Signed Judith Johansson Vintage Scandinavian Swedish Röllakan, 05'07 x 07'11
By Judith Johansson
Located in Dallas, TX
78495 Judith Johansson Vintage Swedish Rollakan Rug, 05'07 x 07'11. Judith Johansson (1916-1999) was a prominent Swedish textile artist known for her innovative handwoven rugs and ta...
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Judith Johansson "Spice Hall" Flat Weave, Signed JJ. Sweden 1960's
By Judith Johansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Judith Johansson "Spice Hall" flat weave, Signed JJ. Sweden 1960's measures- 108" x 88" Designed in 1961. "Spice Hall" is a hand woven flat-weave rug with a field of shapes in light...
Wool, Linen
Judith Johansson "Björkhult" Large Flat-Weave Rug, Sweden, 1960s
By Judith Johansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Judith Johansson "Björkhult" Large Flat-Weave Rug, Sweden, 1960s - 144" x 105.5" This very large mid-century Swedish flat-weave rug “Björkhult” by Judith Johansson in brown, beige a...
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Judith Johansson, "Flower Wreath" Swedish Flat Weave Rug, 1960s
By Judith Johansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Judith Johansson, " Flower Wreath" Swedish flat weave rug, 1960s - 115" x 87". Judith Johansson, "BLOMSTERKRANS" or " Flower Wreath" extra large Swedi...
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Judith Johansson "Björkhult", Large Flat-Weave Rug, Sweden, 1960s
By Judith Johansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Judith Johansson "Björkhult" flat weave rug Sweden 1964, measures: 365 x 240cm This very large midcentury Swedish flat-weave rug “Björkhult” by Judith Johansson in brown, beige an...
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Judith Johansson Handwoven Flat-Weave Rug Signed JJ, Sweden, 1960s
By Judith Johansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Judith Johansson handwoven flat-weave rug signed JJ Sweden 1960s 9.2 ft x 6.1 ft. This is a classic and very sought after design and designer. Top class in Swedish designer handwo...
Wool, Linen
Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave by Judith Johanson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish flat-weave by Judith Johanson Size: 6'0" × 11'9" (182 × 358 cm) Popularity of Swedish rugs seems to match that of Classic Persian rugs. Despite their shared sources...
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Tulip, Vintage Rug by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
The Tulip, vintage rug by Judith Johansson Size: 7'4" × 10'5" (223 × 317 cm) Midcentury Swedish flat-woven rug designed by Judith Johansson (1916-1993). Woven at her ateliers at Kn...
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Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Rug by Judith Johansson
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish flat-weave rug by Judith Johansson, circa 1940.
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Mid-20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
By Judith Johansson
Located in New York, NY
'BJÖRKHULT' Initialed: JJ (Judith Johansson)
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