A Floral Garland Around an Open Oval
This handmade American hooked cotton rug, circa 1920s, features an open peach-beige oval surrounded by colourful flowers. The spacious centre contrasts with the lively garland, giving the composition a clear focal point.
Five-petalled blossoms alternate with curling stems, pointed leaves and small buds. Burgundy, coral, pink, yellow and dusty blue bring individual accents around the oval. Cream flowers provide quieter intervals between the brighter colours.
Dark brown outlines separate the petals and define the winding stems. Their fine contours give the floral drawing clarity against the pale ground. Small variations in shape and spacing contribute to its handmade character.
Soft Colours and Expressive Drawing
The flowers vary from deep burgundy to soft pastel shades. A yellow blossom provides a brighter accent near one end. Dusty blue and pink flowers balance the warmer coral and brown tones elsewhere.
Green and grey-green leaves follow the curling stems around the field. Some leaves contain contrasting sections, while others use a single shade. The stems curve between the blossoms without forming a rigidly repeated pattern.
A narrow dark outline encloses the peach-beige centre. This simple line separates the open field from the surrounding garland. Subtle variations in the cotton surface give the otherwise unpatterned oval texture and depth.
Striped Corners and a Rectangular Frame
Concentric bands of cream, taupe and brown fill the corners outside the oval. Their angular arrangement creates a striped rectangular frame around the softer floral composition. The contrast between curves and straight lines gives the rug its distinctive structure.
The bands change direction as they meet at the corners. Differences in width and tone add movement to the neutral frame. A dark bound edge completes the perimeter.
The hooked cotton surface has variations in loop height throughout the field and border. These changes give the colours a softly uneven appearance. The outer bands show more pronounced thinning and wear in places.
Measuring approximately 132.1 × 78.7 cm, this rug offers a compact decorative format. It suits a bedside, reading corner or country-style study. Its warm neutral centre complements wood furniture while the flowers introduce small touches of colour.
Condition
Good overall condition, with uneven surface wear and scattered small spots in the central field. Variations in loop height and shading are present. The peach-beige centre shows visible tonal changes.
The outer border has localised thinning and worn sections. Minor irregularity and waviness affect the edges. The floral garland and striped corner design remain clearly defined.
Key Details
Origin: United States
Period: Circa 1920s
Style: American floral folk art
Material: Cotton
Technique: Handmade, hooked
Dimensions: Approximately 132.1 × 78.7 cm
Imperial dimensions: 4 ft 4 in × 2 ft 7 in, approximately 4.33 × 2.58 ft
Design: Open oval centre, flowering vine surround and concentric striped corners
Colours: Peach beige, cream, taupe, brown, burgundy, coral, pink, yellow, dusty blue and green
Finishing: Dark bound edge
Condition: Uneven wear, small central spots, varied loop height, localised border thinning and slight edge waviness
SKU: 1B1043
Why It’s Special
The open oval gives the colourful garland room to stand out. Striped corners introduce a geometric contrast without competing with the flowers. Its combination of simple botanical drawing and textured cotton gives this small rug an inviting folk-art character.
