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Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Swedish, 1873-1941

Märta Måås-Fjetterström was the leading figure in Swedish textile design in the early 20th century. Through her rug-weaving studio, MMF AB, Måås-Fjetterström introduced a modern and cosmopolitan spirit to the tradition-bound craft, creating some of the era’s most sublime rugs and carpets — works that are elegant yet have a handmade warmth and honesty.

Måås-Fjetterström was the daughter of a small-town minister, and her creative bent led her to study drawing at the School of Industrial Arts in Stockholm between 1890 and 1895. She became an art teacher after graduating and began drafting textile designs in the late 1890s. At the time, Sweden was experiencing many of the same cultural concerns that fueled the English Arts and Crafts movement: fears that industrialization was causing many traditional handicrafts to wither into extinction. The state supported numerous artisan workshops, and Måås-Fjetterström was hired as director of a weaving studio in the southern city of Mälmo in 1905. She was dismissed six years later for insisting that artisans be allowed to create original patterns rather than merely copy old ones.

She traveled widely in search of design inspirations, and in 1919 — thanks in large part to the patronage of Ludvig Nobel, grand-nephew of Alfred Nobel, who commissioned her to make all the rugs for a new country manor hotel — Måås-Fjetterström opened her own workshop. There she trained many of Sweden’s best modern weavers, including Barbo Nilsson and Marianne Richter (the latter, a widely celebrated mid-century modernist designer, became a leader at Måås-Fjetterström's atelier after its founder's death in 1941).

A major exhibition in Stockholm in 1934 brought public acclaim, a reputation secured worldwide by exhibitions at the British Museum in 1936 and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1939. Måås-Fjetterström’s company, MMF AB, is still in operation, and most of her roughly 700 designs are available for fabrication.

A broad range of influences can be seen in Måås-Fjetterström’s designs, among them Art Nouveau and classic Near Eastern and Asian styles. Her rug patterns fall roughly into two groups: The first includes stylized floral and other naturalistic motifs as well as modernized folkloric themes. The second comprises those employing geometric “tiles” in a formal composition based on that of Persian rugs, with an intricate border surrounding a central medallion.

Måås-Fjetterström generally used a subtle color palette: Soft pastels predominate, punctuated by the odd vibrant note. Her rugs are remarkable for their flexibility of use in decor schemes. They are a perfect complement to simple modern furniture in both blond and darker finishes; at the same time, the rugs can act as a perfect calming foil to more ornate historical styles. Måås-Fjetterström's creations, particularly signed vintage pieces, are highly collectible. Her designs are found in the world's leading museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.

Find a collection of vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström rugs and carpets on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Märta Måås-Fjetterström handwoven pillow "Röd häst, hingsten"
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Båstad, SE
Handwoven tapestry in wool, with motif of a red horse, a young stallion, designed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström in 1930. Several horses with different poses appears in the collection...
Category

1930s Swedish Arts and Crafts Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Wool

Märta Måås-Fjetterström handwoven pillow "Mossbotten"
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Båstad, SE
Handwoven tapestry with floral motif, designed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström in 1932. Woven in wool and hand spun linen on linen warp by artisan weaver Milja Morseth at the Märta Måås...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Wool, Linen, Down, Feathers

Märta Måås-Fjetterström handwoven pillow "Röda duchatellet"
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Båstad, SE
Handwoven tapestry as a decorative pillow, designed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström in 1924. Woven in wool on a wool warp by artisan weaver Gunnel Andersson at the Märta Måås-Fjetterstr...
Category

1920s Swedish Arts and Crafts Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Wool, Down, Feathers

Scandinavian Modern Tapestry Pillow "Gråviggen" by Märta Maas-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Scandinavian Modern hand woven tapestry pillow, "Gråviggen" by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marta Maas-Fjetterstrom, the seabird "Gråviggen", Aythya fuligula, "Gray Wedge". The pattern ...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Linen, Wool

Exhibited Vintage Wallhanging Tapestry "the Rye" by Ab Märta Måås-fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Exhibited, vintage wall tapestry by one of the most famous Swedish designers Märta Måås-Fjetterström. Made at her studio in the 1990s. The patter...
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1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Cotton, Linen

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Rug ‘Sun Spots’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, MMF
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Sun Spots’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Sweden, 1966. Wool. Signed. Tapestry technique. Provenance: From a private Swedish collection. The int...
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1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

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Handwoven 'Altitude Cent I' Bauhaus Merino Wool Large Cushion Pillow
By Pamela Print
Located in Chelmsford, GB
Handwoven on a dobby loom in our studio using a complex double cloth weaving technique and a combination of weave structures, this unique cushion draws inspiration from the Art Deco and Bauhaus movements. This striking contemporary piece is custom made to order in soft merino lambswool, and can be used as a seat or floor cushion. Hand-woven to order. A bespoke option is available in colours / size of the client's choice. *British Fleece insert - please note for orders outside of the UK you will need to request a shipping quotation. The shipping cost on the listing is for the cushion cover only. * Front: Handwoven British-sourced Merino Lambswool Back: Handwoven Harris Tweed in Mid Grey with zip Optional Cushion Insert: 100% cotton cambric cover with zip filled with British Dorset...
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2010s British Mid-Century Modern Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

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Handwoven Silk Pillow
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional pillow made of handwoven quality silk Chinese rug fragment, soft silk feel like velvet Beautiful motifs of flowers and vine, double silk backing, with fresh new quality ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Silk

Handwoven Silk Pillow
Handwoven Silk Pillow
H 11 in W 31 in D 4 in
Moroccan Ethnic Berber Handwoven Pillow
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Ethnic Berber handwoven tribal throw pillow made from a vintage rug. The front and the back are made from a different rug, front is more...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

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Wool

Moroccan Ethnic Berber Handwoven Pillow
Moroccan Ethnic Berber Handwoven Pillow
H 12.5 in W 12.5 in D 6 in
Handwoven Moroccan Berber Pillow
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan ethnic handwoven tribal throw pillow made from a vintage rug. The front of this Berber pillow and the back are made from a different rug, fron...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Wool

Handwoven Moroccan Berber Pillow
Handwoven Moroccan Berber Pillow
H 14 in W 18 in D 5 in
Handwoven Kazak Rug Pillow
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional pillow made of handwoven antique collectible rug, beautiful geometric motif. Made of fine wool, professionally hand wash before we made it to pillow, antique linen backi...
Category

1920s Central Asian Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Linen, Wool

Handwoven Kazak Rug Pillow
Handwoven Kazak Rug Pillow
H 14 in W 31 in D 4 in
Scandinavian Modern Needlework Pillow, Sweden, 1950’s
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Introducing a Timeless Scandinavian Modern Needlework decorative pillow from the 1950s. Elevate your space with a touch of vintage charm and Scandinavian elegance. This exquisite Mod...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Textile, Cotton

Boos Bespoke Handwoven Throw Pillow
By Andrew Boos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This bespoke pillow is handmade from 100% natural materials in the maker's studio in Brooklyn, NY. The wool is sourced from a village south Oaxaca, a blend of merino and churro wool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Handwoven Italian Merino Wool Pillow by Le Lampade
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Whimsical handwoven and decorated merino wool pillow with feather and down insert. Made in Italy.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Wool

Sancri Throw Pillow - Handwoven Mexican Cotton Black White and Magenta Cushion
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This SanCri Pillow features bold black, white and viva magenta stripes for a distinct Mexican design. Handmade in Latin America, it is the perfect addition to any local home decor or...
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2010s Mexican Arts and Crafts Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Cotton

17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 16" X 11", Woolen authentic Flemish tapestry pillow
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17th Century French Empire Antique Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Wool

17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Free Shipping
H 11 in W 16 in D 3 in
Bespoke set of Handwoven Throw Pillows
By Andrew Boos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of bespoke pillows is handmade from 100% natural materials in the maker's studio in Brooklyn, NY. The wool is sourced from a village south Oaxaca, a blend of merino and chu...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Previously Available Items
Vintage Marta Maas-Fjetterström Swedish Tapestry
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Tapestry by Marta Maas-Fjetterström, origin: Scandinavia, circa mid-20th century. This striking piece from mid-20th century Scandinavia...
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

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Wool

Early Textile by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in London, GB
Fantastic small scale handwowen textile by MMF . In great original condition with no damage.
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Märta Måås-Fjetterström Textiles

Märta Måås-fjetterström textiles for sale on 1stDibs.

Märta Måås-Fjetterström textiles are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of linen and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Märta Måås-Fjetterström textiles, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original textiles by Märta Måås-Fjetterström were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the 20th century. Prices for Märta Måås-Fjetterström textiles can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,559 and can go as high as $32,262, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $17,410.

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