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Marianne Richter

Swedish, 1916-2010

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 Forsbergbrought 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.

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Creator: Marianne Richter
Large Tapestry “Tuppamattan" by Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Marianne Richter, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
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 "...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool, Linen

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'.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Marianne Richter

Materials

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...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool

Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström 'Fläder Röd' Carpet in Wool
By Marianne Richter
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB (MMF AB), rölakan flat weave carpet 'Fläder Röd', wool, Sweden, design 1943 An exceptional rare piece designed by female textile art...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool

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)
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool

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
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool

Rug ‘Façade, Orange, Red’ Designed by Marianne Richter for MMF, Sweden, 1950s
By Marianne Richter
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rölakan technique. Wool.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool

Large Swedish 'Lofstad' Rya Rug by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter, AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker
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...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool, Yarn

Swedish 'LOFSTAD' Rya Rug by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter, AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker
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...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool, Yarn

“Strålar Gul” Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Rug by Marianne Richter c. 1950s
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
“Strålar Gul” Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Rug by Marianne Richter c. 1950s Size: 6'9" × 10'0" (205 × 304 cm) A bold testament to mid-century Scandinavian textile artistry, this rare v...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Marianne Richter

Materials

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).
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Marianne Richter

Materials

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).
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool

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Previously Available Items
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Mid-20th Century Swedish, Pillow by Marianne Richter
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Large Swedish Rya Rug Kolmården by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter
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Original 1960s Green Rya Rug by Marianne Richter for Wahlbecks Ab, Sweden
By Marianne Richter, AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker
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Original huge 1960s Rya rug Designed by Marianne Richter Rya quality Made in Sweden Producer: Wahlbecks Fabrikker AB This rug is a great e...
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Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Marianne Richter

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Vintage Swedish Pile Marianne Richter Rug For Marta Maas. Size: 3 ft 7 in x 4 ft
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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...
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Midcentury Yellow Orange & Cream “Solrosen” Rya Rug Designed by Marianne Richter
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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...
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Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Marianne Richter

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Rya Rug "Stegeborg" Designed by Marianne Richter for Wahlbecks AB, Sweden, 1960s
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Rya rug "Stegeborg" designed by Marianne Richter for Wahlbecks AB.
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Vintage Marta Maas Scandinavian Marianne Richter Fasad Lattbla Rug
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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 ...
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Vintage Scandinavian Marta Maas Rug by Marianne Richter. Size: 5 ft 10 in x 8 ft
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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...
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Blue Marianne Richter Design Swedish Rug
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Though understated in presentation, this stunning vintage rug is able to unify any area in which it is set, simply because of the colors chosen and the clearly defined angles and lin...
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Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Marianne Richter

Materials

Wool

Marianne Richter furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Marianne Richter furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wool and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Marianne Richter furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Marianne Richter were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ingrid Dessau, Erik Lundberg, and Ulla Parkdal. Prices for Marianne Richter furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,046 and can go as high as $85,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,000.

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