Carpet

Description

The pattern of triangles within arches and small squares on this carpet is typical of the design vocabulary found in Koloman Moser’s work from the first decade of the 20th century. Moser was one of the founders of the Weiner Werkstätte—or Vienna Workshop—along with designer Josef Hoffman (Austrian, 1870–1956). Their goal was to create a cooperative for modern design in Vienna. Although he left the company in 1907, Moser continued to design for them. Johan Backhausen & Söhne produced most of the textiles and carpets retailed by the Weiner Werkstätte until its closure in 1932.

Provenance

Inge Asenbaum, Galerie am Graben, Vienna, Austria, by 1983 [invoice, Oct. 5, 1983; incoming receipt RX14774, Mar. 21, 1984; copy in curatorial object file]; sold to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Carpet

Johann Backhausen und Söhne

c. 1900-1910

Accession Number

111296

Medium

Hemp, jute, and wool, plain weave with supplementary wrapping wefts forming cut pile through a technique known as "Ghiordes knots"

Dimensions

131.5 × 70 cm (51 3/4 × 27 1/2 in.)

Classification

weaving - carpet

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Alexander Demond Fund; Royalties from Perfect-Fit Industries and The Warner Fund; Textile Purchase Fund