Stepped Crosses on a Striated Ground
This handmade American hooked wool rug, circa 1920s, features colourful stepped-cross medallions against a striated grey and cream ground. Its repeating pattern combines crisp geometry with the varied texture of hooked wool.
Each medallion contains a pale cross with a small rust-red centre. Successive stepped outlines expand around it, creating a compact, angular shape. Dark edging defines the motifs against the changing tones of the ground.
The crosses repeat across the field without a single dominant centre. Dusty blue, lilac, sage, ochre, peach, burgundy, and brown bring variety to the arrangement. The changing colours give each motif its own character within the repeating design.
Colour and Hooked Texture
Cream and pale yellow crosses create a consistent visual thread throughout the rug. Small red centres punctuate the softer palette. Surrounding bands alternate between muted pastels and deeper shades.
Some medallions contain mottled sections, while others use solid areas of wool to emphasise their stepped outlines. Small differences in shape and spacing contribute to the handmade character. Variations in loop height add further texture.
Long passages of grey, taupe, cream, and charcoal create a streaked background between the medallions. These directional changes contrast with the compact cross shapes. The neutral ground allows the coloured motifs to stand out without overwhelming the composition.
A Simple Brown Frame
A brown border surrounds the patterned field, with binding along the outside edge. Its restrained colour provides a quiet frame for the lively centre. The perimeter follows a slightly irregular rectangular outline.
Measuring approximately 170 × 106.7 cm, the rug offers a versatile small-area format. Its geometric design complements both traditional furnishings and simpler contemporary interiors. A textile display or gentle-use setting is preferable to heavy traffic because of the worn perimeter.
Condition
The central design remains clearly defined, with age-related surface wear and variations in loop height and texture. Scattered raised fibres and uneven areas are present. The ground displays marked colour and texture variation.
Parts of the brown border and binding show substantial wear, thinning, fraying, and losses. Some worn sections expose contrasting material beneath the surface. The edges are slightly wavy and irregular.
Please review the detailed photographs, particularly the corner close-up and full-length views, to appreciate the surface and perimeter condition.
Key Details
Origin: United States
Period: Circa 1920s
Style: American geometric folk art
Material: Wool
Technique: Handmade hooked construction
Dimensions: Approximately 170 × 106.7 cm
Imperial dimensions: Approximately 5.58 × 3.50 ft
Design: Repeated stepped-cross medallions with pale crosses and rust-red centres
Colours: Grey, cream, taupe, charcoal, brown, dusty blue, lilac, sage, ochre, peach, burgundy and rust red
Finishing: Brown border and bound perimeter
Condition: Surface wear, varied loop texture, irregular edges and substantial worn areas and losses along parts of the border and binding
SKU: 1B1036
Why It’s Special
The contrast between colourful stepped crosses and the streaked neutral ground gives this rug its distinctive presence. Changing shades within a repeated form create rhythm and variety. Its textured wool surface and expressive geometry make it an engaging piece of American textile folk art.
