Textiles at Lapada
This early 18th century boned stomacher (worn by men and women) from Witney Antiques is just one example of the many textiles on show (possibly for the last time before going into private collections) and sale at this year's Lapada art & antiques fair. Another is this wool pile woven rug initialed & dated 1933, probably designed by Laila Karttunen, Finland.
From Clive Loveless Dealer Clive Loveless has a long specialisation in Scandinavian rugs (rya) and dowry textiles dating from his and the late David Black's joint exhibition and catalogue "Flatweaves from Fjord and Forest" in 1984. In the long tradition of these rugs, this one has woven letters "M" (or maybe "AA") and an "H" at each top corner, as well as the woven date of 1933.
One of the directors at the Craft Museum in Helsinki believes the rug has a related example dated 1931 by quite likely, the same female designer, Laila Karttunen. Laila Karttunen won the Milan Triennale in that very year, 1933, so it may have been designed in celebration. Loveless also considers another possibility - noting that, as well as the colour blocks abstractions and flowers, one can see that there are also two people profiles in the centre.
While it cannot be proved, Loveless believes that it could be that these profiles are those of the major Finnish designers, husband and wife Alvar and Aino Aalto ("AA"?), who both moved to Helsinki ("H"?) in 1933, the same woven date as on the rug, to start their famous design business. This is an interesting example of early 20th century Scandinavian Decorative Art and in splendid condition as it seems to have been hung for many years before finding its way onto the market.
The LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London
13-18 September
www.lapadalondon.com
Peta Smyth has been dealing in antique textiles since 1976. The shop, at 42 Moreton Street in Pimlico, is renowned for its extensive and comprehensive stock of beautiful and fine textiles, and attracts a loyal and diverse clientele of interior designers, antiques dealers and private collectors.
With an emphasis on European textiles of the 16th century through to the 19th century, and textiles from further afield intended for the European market, particular attention is concentrated on tapestries, needlework for the upholstery of antique furniture, and silk brocades, damasks, and velvets, together with crewelwork and other embroidery, appliquéd and printed textiles, curtains and smaller decorative pieces such as cushions, braids and fringes.
From Clive Loveless Dealer Clive Loveless has a long specialisation in Scandinavian rugs (rya) and dowry textiles dating from his and the late David Black's joint exhibition and catalogue "Flatweaves from Fjord and Forest" in 1984. In the long tradition of these rugs, this one has woven letters "M" (or maybe "AA") and an "H" at each top corner, as well as the woven date of 1933.
One of the directors at the Craft Museum in Helsinki believes the rug has a related example dated 1931 by quite likely, the same female designer, Laila Karttunen. Laila Karttunen won the Milan Triennale in that very year, 1933, so it may have been designed in celebration. Loveless also considers another possibility - noting that, as well as the colour blocks abstractions and flowers, one can see that there are also two people profiles in the centre.
While it cannot be proved, Loveless believes that it could be that these profiles are those of the major Finnish designers, husband and wife Alvar and Aino Aalto ("AA"?), who both moved to Helsinki ("H"?) in 1933, the same woven date as on the rug, to start their famous design business. This is an interesting example of early 20th century Scandinavian Decorative Art and in splendid condition as it seems to have been hung for many years before finding its way onto the market.
The LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London
13-18 September
www.lapadalondon.com
Peta Smyth has been dealing in antique textiles since 1976. The shop, at 42 Moreton Street in Pimlico, is renowned for its extensive and comprehensive stock of beautiful and fine textiles, and attracts a loyal and diverse clientele of interior designers, antiques dealers and private collectors.
With an emphasis on European textiles of the 16th century through to the 19th century, and textiles from further afield intended for the European market, particular attention is concentrated on tapestries, needlework for the upholstery of antique furniture, and silk brocades, damasks, and velvets, together with crewelwork and other embroidery, appliquéd and printed textiles, curtains and smaller decorative pieces such as cushions, braids and fringes.