CU-978 - Antique American Hooked Rug
1ft 09in X 2ft 10in
Hooked Rugs
Hooked rugs are an American creation. They are primarily a folk craft in which burlap sacking is used for the foundation and yarn or shredded fabric is pulled through by a hooked tool to create a pile and pattern. The sizes of early pieces are generally small limited by the dimensions of the burlap sack. They may be pictorial figural abstract and geometric or a mix of all. They are a creation first of New England and later the rural mid-west. This attractive example has a vertically marbled field created by strips of fabric. In this way old clothes or bedding were usefully recycled. The ivory border is decorated with squares of solid color providing a firm frame to the shifting watery field pattern. The folk artist accumulated fabrics in various colors until enough were available to create this poly-chrome effect. Many hooked rugs are darker with fewer colors. This one is particularly lively.
Vacuum your rug frequently and use a vacuum which uses suction and does not have bristles. If possible, set vacuum to low power setting and vacuum the rug up and down and do not use a back-and-forth motion.
If possible, rotate the rug every few years to allow foot traffic to be spread evenly and shade the rug from direct sunlight to avoid fading in areas.
A rug pad is recommended on all surfaces to prevent slipping and stop marking if on floors with grooves or lines. Professional cleaning is recommended every two or three years.
