Art Deco Hooked Rug
A finely worked American hooked rug distinguished by an explosive pattern of stunning beauty, reminiscent of the architectural details seen on Art Deco masterpieces such as the Chrysler Building in New York. Art Deco and Modernist patterns are very rarely encountered in this medium, as a very small artisanal production began during the Colonial Revival period. Ralph Pearson was the first to develop this, feeling that hooked rugs represented the logical medium for modernist design. Pearson taught at Elverhoj, a community that was entirely devoted to the Arts & Crafts philosophy, and encouraged artists to express their creativity through the applied arts. In the early 20’s he inaugurated his design workshop called the New England Guild, which was based in Portland, Maine and soon was producing hooked rugs designed by local professional artists. His headquarters were in New York, which allowed him a close contact with many of the artists and architects who help build some of the most significant works of the period.
The exceptional dynamism of this example is achieved by mastering the hooked technique, where contrasting densities of weaving together with a clever choice in blending colours result in a three-dimensional composition of sublime character. The centrifugal energy exuded by the pattern is reminiscent of the futuristic visions of painters such as Umberto Boccioni (as exemplified by his The City Rises from 1910) or the frantic rhythms of cinematic masterpieces like Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927), both vividly conveying the incessant driving force which characterised Modernism. Artworks such as this piece are representative of the enormous creativity of American designers during the Art Deco era.