1958 Mid-Century Scandinavian Textile by Renowned Swedish Designer Viola Gråsten, Tapestry Tablecloth

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Viola Gråsten (1910 - 1994) was a renowned Finnish-Swedish textile designer. Gråsten designed numerous iconic patterns during her career, notably … Read more Viola Gråsten (1910 - 1994) was a renowned Finnish-Swedish textile designer. Gråsten designed numerous iconic patterns during her career, notably for companies like Mölnlycke Väfveri AB (Mölnlycke Weavers), where she served as artistic director for the fashion textile department.

This is a rare treasure from Sweden. This gorgeous fabric was designed and produced in 1958 by Viola Gråsten, at the beginning of her time at Mölnlycke Väfveri. The design is called "Vildros" ("Wild Rose"). The design was inspired by jugenstil as was typical for the time. Featuring a stylized central wild rose, boldly colored in half cyan, half magenta, surrounded by a dense arrangement of black & grey leaves on a white background. "Vildros" is one of her well-known designs, associated with a mid-century modern aesthetic.

This print is very hard to find anymore, especially in the US and in such good condition.

Gråsten is celebrated for her daring use of color and graphic patterns, unusual for the time in Sweden, often incorporating natural motifs with a modern aesthetic. Her designs significantly impacted Swedish textile design in the mid-20th century and helped introduce a more vibrant and expressive style to Scandinavian interiors, moving beyond the traditionally more modest design aesthetic.

This is a hand printed cotton satin, almost feels like a silk blend; a thin, high quality, durable fabric - the way they don't make them anymore.

In excellent condition, showing no signs of use. The colors are not faded.

As far as I know it was always stored in my grandmother's textile storage cabinet. She worked as a cleaning lady at the factory and always brought home remnant pieces of fabrics from the waste baskets.

This is an approximately 34" x 36" piece of fabric, machine hemmed by my grandmother on two sides, raw selvege on the other two sides, with the title, designer, factory and country printed along one selvege.

Can be used as tablecloth, hang as tapestry or make an oversized cushion, etc. See less