American Hooked Wool Rug
A mirrored arrangement of colourful flowers fills the warm cream centre of this handmade American hooked wool rug. Dating to circa the 1920s, it combines cheerful botanical ornament with a scrolling leaf frame. A rich burgundy ground gives the pale border leaves a strong contrast.
Red daisy-like blossoms sit near the centre, accompanied by rounded yellow flowers and smaller lavender bell-shaped blooms. Sage foliage links the flowers into a balanced composition. Dark brown outlines separate petals, stems and leaves, giving the arrangement a lively graphic character.
Mirrored Flowers on Cream
The floral design extends in opposite directions from the middle of the rug. Red and coral petals surround yellow centres. Nearby, soft yellow flowers provide broader rounded shapes among the pointed green leaves.
Small blooms introduce lavender, pale green and orange accents without overwhelming the cream background. Their slender stems weave between the larger flowers. This mixture of scale keeps the central arrangement varied while preserving its mirrored structure.
The warm cream field gives the individual motifs room to stand out. Its lightly varied surface also softens the dark outlines. Together, the colours create a decorative centre that feels bright without relying on a white ground.
Scrolling Acanthus Frame
Pale sage acanthus leaves sweep along both sides and curl inward across the ends. Their long branching forms create an ornamental frame around the flowers. Fine dark lines follow the leaf contours and emphasise each curling tip.
Behind this scrollwork, burgundy fills the outer ground. The contrast gives the border definition while connecting with the red flowers inside. Dark bound edges provide a narrow finish around the rectangular outline.
Hand-Hooked Wool Texture
Hand-hooked wool forms the patterned surface, with variations in loop height visible across the design. The reverse shows a tan woven backing. These contrasting surfaces reveal the textile’s construction without distracting from its floral face.
Measuring approximately 76.2 × 134.6 cm, the rug has compact rectangular proportions. It suits a bedside, dressing area or quiet reading space. Cream and sage pair easily with pale upholstery, while the burgundy and red complement warmer wood tones.
Condition
Good overall condition for its age, with surface wear and variations in loop height. A small elongated area of worn or missing loops exposes the foundation in the cream field near one end.
Minor edge wear and a small irregularity along the burgundy border are also present. The exposed-foundation area remains visible and forms part of the rug’s current condition.
Key Details
Date: Circa 1920s
Origin: United States
Material: Wool, with woven backing visible on the reverse
Technique: Handmade, hand-hooked
Design: Mirrored floral composition framed by scrolling acanthus leaves
Colours: Cream, burgundy, sage green, red, yellow, lavender, coral and dark brown
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions: Approximately 76.2 × 134.6 cm / 2 ft 6 in × 4 ft 5 in
Edge finish: Dark bound edges
Condition: Surface wear, uneven loop height, localised loop loss exposing foundation and minor edge wear
SKU: 1B1046
Why It’s Special
The mirrored flowers and expansive acanthus leaves give this small rug a generous decorative presence. Its cheerful centre contrasts with the deeper border. The combination brings together colourful floral detail and flowing scrollwork in a compact handmade textile.
