Swedish textile artist Marianne Richter is internationally revered for her range of extraordinary rugs, carpets and large tapestries. Her textiles featured a variety of provocative geometric shapes in warm earth tones and dazzling graphic patterns.
A master in her field, Richter created works that adorn Swedish embassies all over the world. One of her most notable pieces was a 200-square-meter wall hanging that she created for the United Nations building in New York City.
Born in 1916, in Helsingborg, Sweden, Richter was the second of seven children in her family. Her father was a merchant and her mother was a homemaker.
She trained at the Technical School in Stockholm with a focus on textiles (and also eventually worked in ceramics, too). When she completed her studies, Richter apprenticed for Märta Måås-Fjetterström at MMF AB — the widely celebrated designer’s atelier — where the budding textile artist worked during the summers. After her apprenticeship, Richter went on to work for Svensk Hemslöjd — a handicraft association in Växjö, Sweden.
In the early 1940s, Barbro Nilsson — a Swedish textile designer known for popularizing Scandinavian modernism within the decorative arts — invited Richter to return to MMF AB in Båstad — this time as a designer — where she would become pivotal to the growth of the company.
In a time when machine-made textiles were gaining popularity, Richter became a leader at the facility and her innovative mid-century modern works — as well as those produced by Nilsson and designer Ann-Mari Forsberg — brought considerable attention to MMF AB, which is still Sweden’s foremost atelier for hand-woven art textiles.
The wall hanging that Richter designed for the United Nations building in Manhattan was commissioned by the Swedish government (it was intended for the Economic and Social Affairs Council Chamber, which was designed by Sven Markelius). For more than a year, ten artisans at MMF AB worked with wool and linen to produce Richter’s design. In 1968, the piece had to be restored as it began to disintegrate, partly owing to an effect that chemicals had on the textile as part of a fireproofing process that took place when it arrived in Manhattan.
Richter continued to work at MMF AB until the 1970s, creating pile rugs, flatwoven rugs and tapestries, while also teaching at the Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. She died in 2010.
Find vintage Marianne Richter rugs and carpets on 1stDibs.
Rya carpet 'Kolmården' by Marianne Richter, Östergyllan, Sweden, 1960s
By Marianne Richter
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Great Scandinavian modern rya carpet designed by Marianne Richter for Östergyllan, Sweden, during the 1960s. Model is named 'Kolmården'.
Wool
Swedish Mid Century Pile Rug by Marianne Richter in Green Wool Produced, 1940s
By Marianne Richter
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and decorative green Swedish mid century woven wool pile rug by the Swedish artist Marianne Richter produced in the 1940s. Very similar to other iconic rugs by Märta Måås Fjet...
Wool
Large Tapestry “Tuppamattan" by Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Marianne Richter
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This is a rare handwoven and large tapestry rug mural designed by Marianne Richter (1916-2010) for AB Märta Måås-Fjetterströms ateliers in Båstad, Sweden. The composition is called "...
Wool, Linen
Swedish 'LOFSTAD' Rya Rug by Marianne Richter
By AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker, Marianne Richter
Located in Atlanta, GA
A warm-tone Rya rug by Swedish designer Marianne Richter in her "Lofstad" pattern. This rug was part of the Östergyllan series produced by Wahlbecks in Linköping, Sweden during the 1...
Wool, Yarn
Mid 20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström Sweden, circa 1955 Signed 'AB MMF' (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström)
Wool
Vintage Handwoven Green Swedish Rug Signed by Weaver
By Marianne Richter, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This traditional handwoven Swedish deco rug has an overall field of checked broad alternating green and light green row. Signed by Weaver: AB MMF Marianne Richter for Marta Maas Fje...
Wool
Large Swedish 'Lofstad' Rya Rug by Marianne Richter
By AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker, Marianne Richter
Located in Atlanta, GA
A warm-tone Rya rug by Swedish designer Marianne Richter in her "Lofstad" pattern. This rug was part of the Östergyllan series produced by Wahlbecks in Linköping, Sweden during the 1...
Wool, Yarn
A 'Stars' Rya Rug by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter
Located in London, England
A signed 'Stars' Rya rug by Marianne Richter. Fantastic condition with original label on the reverse. Professionally cleaned. Sweden circa 1960. L 196cm x W 140cm x H 2cm
Wool
Late 20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
By Marianne Richter, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave, initialed: "AB MMF MR" (AB Marta Maas-Fjetterström, Marianne Richeter).
Wool
Rug ‘Façade, Orange, Red’ Designed by Marianne Richter for MMF, Sweden, 1950s
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rölakan technique. Wool.
Wool
Late 20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave (rolaken), "The Wall in Beige" (Muren Sandfargad). Signed: AB MMF MR (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter).
Wool
Signed Ulla Parkdah Green Wool Mid-century Handwoven Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A Swedish hand-woven wool rug designed by Ulla Parkdal with woven initials (UP) at a corner. It is in excellent original condition, consistent with age. This mid-century, circa 1960s...
Wool
Nordic Solstice: A Scandinavian Swedish-Style Masterpiece of Gilded Geometry
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in Dallas, TX
30674 New Scandinavian Swedish-Inspired Kilim Rug, 09'00 x 11'06. Behold a radiant ode to the legacy of Scandinavian Modernism—a handwoven wool kilim that channels the spirit of mid-...
Wool
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.86 in W 13 in D 0.08 in
Märta Måås-Fjetterström signed “Bandet” Tapestry by Ann-Mari Forsberg
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Portman Gallery is pleased to present a tapestry woven in Bastad at the storied weavery Märta Måås-Fjetterström, designed by Ann Marie Forsberg in the mid-twentieth century. “Bande...
Wool
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.41 in W 51.19 in D 0.4 in
Märta Måås-Fjetterström "Crocus" Handwoven Linen-backed Swedish Wall Hanging
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Crocus tapestry by Marta Maas Fjetterstrom. A nice, and somewhat rare, size, and fully backed with linen and tabs for inserting a dowel rod. This design was made in many colorways, w...
Wool, Linen
Early 20th Century Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB Swedish Rug
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This traditional handwoven Swedish rug has a shaded chocolate brown field of stylized rosette pendants and bold stalks issuing further floral motif, in a shaded coral-red meandering ...
Wool
New Scandinavian Green Swedish Inspired Kilim Röllakan
By Marianne Richter, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Dallas, TX
31117 New Scandinavian Modern Green Swedish Inspired Kilim Rug, 10'04 x 13'10. Infused with Scandinavian elegance and earth-tone poise, this exceptional, handwoven wool Swedish-inspi...
Wool
Swedish Modern Märta Måås Fjerterström Flat-Weave Rug Signed MMF, 1937
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Uccle, BE
Vintage Swedish wool flat-weave rug, designed by Marta Maas-Fjetterström (1873-1941). Made in 1937. Signed MMF which is proof Marta made this rug during her lifetime. After her de...
Wool
Wall Tapestry by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måas-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Handwoven wool tapestry mounted on linen Designed by Barbro Nilsson for Mårta Måås-Fjetterström in 1925 and produced after 1941 Signed by AB MMF Designed and made in Båstad, Sweden.
Wool
$2,556Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.23 in W 22.96 in D 1.58 in
Early Märta Måås-Fjetterström Tapestry in Vintage Pine frame signed Sweden 1930s
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Ystad, SE
Early Tapestry by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Sweden, 1930s An early and finely woven tapestry by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, executed during the 1930s and signed MMF. The tapestry was h...
Wool, Linen, Pine
Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Grodbla Tapestry, 1940's
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Uccle, BE
"Grodbla" (frog) created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, is a beautifully handwoven flatweave tapestry from Sweden. Handmade in linen, it has a framed dimensions of H42 x W45.5 x D3 cm a...
Oak, Linen
Mid-century Modern High Pile Blue Rya Rug, Sweden, 1960s
By Ethel Halvar Andersson
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This exquisite mid-century modern rya rug, crafted by a skilled Swedish textile artist in the 1960s, embodies the artistry and quality of Scandinavian design. Handmade from premium “...
Wool, Linen
New Contemporary Pink Moroccan Rug with Scandinavian Modern Design
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in Dallas, TX
30615, new contemporary Moroccan style rug with Scandinavian Modern design. With its geometric design and Bohemian hygge vibes, this hand knotted wool contemporary Moroccan style rug...
Wool
Sold
H 87.8 in W 79.93 in D 0.2 in
Tapestry 'Balls' designed by Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Marianne Richter
Located in Stockholm, SE
Tapestry 'Balls' designed by Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Sweden, 1969 Signed.
Textile
Vintage Swedish Flat Weave Rug by Marianne Richter (Josefina Gul) Ab Mmf Mr
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Weave Rug by Marianne Richter (Josefina Gul) Ab Mmf Mr Size: 5'8" × 7'5" (172 × 226 cm) This exceptional vintage Swedish rug designed by the great Marianne Richt...
Wool
Sold
W 64.97 in L 90.16 in
Midcentury Wool Red Black Large Carpet Rya Rug by Marianne Richter Sweden 1960s
By Marianne Richter, AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker
Located in Palermo, IT
Rya rectangular rug designed by the Swedish designer Marianne Richter and produced by the AB Wahlbecks factory in Sweden in the 1960s. This carpet model called "Kolmården" was made w...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim by Marianne Richter for Marta Maas. Size: 7' 4" x 7' 6"
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Square Size Vintage “Fasad” Marta Maas Swedish Kilim Rug by Marianne Richter, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Scandinavian Rugs, Circa date: 1950. Size: 7 ft 4 in x 7 ft 6 in...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish, Pillow by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Sweden, circa 1948 Measures: 1'9" x 1'9" (53 x 53 cm) Signed: 'MR' (Marianne Richter) Handwoven.
Wool
Large Swedish Rya Rug Kolmården by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large Rya carpet by Swedish designer Marianne Richter. This carpet was produced by Wahlbecks in Linköping, Sweden during the 1960s. This pattern are called...
Wool
Sold
H 78.75 in W 53.94 in L 78.75 in
Original 1960s Green Rya Rug by Marianne Richter for Wahlbecks Ab, Sweden
By AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker, Marianne Richter
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Original huge 1960s Rya rug Designed by Marianne Richter Rya quality Made in Sweden Producer: Wahlbecks Fabrikker AB This rug is a great e...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Pile Marianne Richter Rug For Marta Maas. Size: 3 ft 7 in x 4 ft
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Breathtaking and extremely Artistic Vintage Swedish Pile Marianne Richter Rug for Marta Maas, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Swedish, Circa Date: M...
Wool
Midcentury Yellow Orange & Cream “Solrosen” Rya Rug Designed by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury yellow, orange and cream “Solrosen” Rya rug designed by Marianne Richter Size: 6'0" × 6'2" (182 × 187 cm). This charming Rya rug constitutes an absolute Quintessence of Scandinavian craftsmanship. It was designed by the great Marianne Richter in the iconic workshop of Marta Maas Fjetterstrom, and the spirit of both geniuses is visible in every inch of this remarkable fabric. The almost square Swedish rug proudly bears the famous sunflower design, hence the name “Solrosen”, with the bold flower-head located in the centre and its petals gradually spreading out to the edges. The pattern is complemented by a bright color palette with predominance of muted yellows and oranges, paired with mauve, against the ivory background. Although simplistic and bordering on naïve art, the design is actually extremely sophisticated and adjusted to contemporary decorating standards. It has a chance to bring some light and joy to any interior arrangement, from Classic to modern. However, the aesthetic side is not the only forte of this fine Swedish Rya rug. Its firm body and the shaggy pile were meticulously hand knotted of first-rate wool, thanks to which the rug has survived until today without any signs of wear and if properly cared for, will serve its owners for generations. Lovely and chic, Marianne Richter’s rug...
Wool
Sold
W 51.97 in L 36.23 in
Rya Rug "Stegeborg" Designed by Marianne Richter for Wahlbecks AB, Sweden, 1960s
By AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker, Marianne Richter
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rya rug "Stegeborg" designed by Marianne Richter for Wahlbecks AB.
Wool
Vintage Marta Maas Scandinavian Marianne Richter Fasad Lattbla Rug
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Zen like Vintage Marta Maas Scandinavian Swedish Kilim Marianne Richter Fasad Lattbla Rug, country of origin / rug type: Scandinavia, circa date: mid – 20th century – This ...
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Marta Maas Rug by Marianne Richter. Size: 5 ft 10 in x 8 ft
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Vintage Scandinavian Marta Maas Rug by Marianne Richter Country of Origin / Rug Type: Scandinavia Rug, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century.Size: 5 ft 10 in...
Wool