I believe this original design, mostly rayon, hooked rug is African American and created to remember the massacres of the "Red Summer" race riots of 1919. During that summer there were nunerous race riots that began with the Chicage riot caused by an African American boy swimming at a "white only" beach. During that summer there were hundreds of African Americans killed, in various riots, resulting in the name "Red Summer". The bullseye center symbolizes this slaughtering of human life.

Constructed on burlap using rayons, knits and a very few cotton fabrics, to create a graphic and poignantly graphic rare piece of art.

This one of a kind folk art rug has been hanging in my home for many, many years. I have decided it is time to let someone else treasure this art piece in their home.

Please email or call to see this rug, on approval, with free shipping, in the privacy of your home.

Created on a 35" loom; finely woven with thick black and red woolen threads. Odd Fellows symbols are the format for the design of this creation. I enjoyed using "Google" to read about the deeper meanings of the many Odd Fellows symbols. An over simplified version of these symbols is the importance in life of love, industriousness, truth, and acceptance of one another.

This c.1890 amazingly graphic piece of art was actually carpet for the floor of a 19th century home or possibly the actual Odd Fellows Lodge. Strips of 35" wide carpet were sewn together to create the needed room size. This carpet, a perfect piece of art for your wall, is not quite two full widths: one full and one apx. 3/4 width, hand sewn together. Please look at the closeup sections by clicking the above photo. Where have you ever seen 19th century art in red and black...a sought after and hard to find color combination.

Betsey has organically washed this carpet so it is clean for your perfect wall space. We can also apply "sleeves" so the "carpet" is ready to easily hang. Please call for more details.

This is a variation on a penny rug, created in New England from felted wool and wool yarn, measuring approximately 38 by 24-1/2 inches. The penny rug was a sewing method taught to children at an early age to teach the buttonhole stitch and applique technique. It was easier for the child's tiny fingers to execute the stitching because the pieces were larger and therefore easier for them to grip. I am unable to tell if this is made by a child or an adult. This Penny rug is in complete original condition with embroidery in the center. There are a couple of little snags that we can restore if desired but at this point it is simply character. The very heavy weight cotton backing is treadle machine stitched onto a front foundation fabric.
This Penny Rug is ready to be shipped to you for your in-home approval.

This wonderful folksy hooked rug, made of wool and various crepe knits, was found in Maine and has been in my private collection for years. There is a definite African American feel to this rug and felt from the center bullseye design that was symbolic of a 1918 African American massacre that occurred in our country. This is a feeling that I have, but cannot prove its creator. It’s a fabulous folk art piece to hang on the wall and can be hung in either direction. Early aniline dyes,especially those of WW1 vintage, unlike most vegetable dyes, fade over time. You can see the original colors on the back where the rug has not been exposed to years of daylight. It wasn’t until C.1925 that aniline dyes were no longer fugitive.

Either Mennonite or Amish - chocolate brown, gray and blue. One end is fringed and the other is bound with rug binding. It appears never to have been used. Also in my possession are very long runners of the same color and design...

The Shakers’ love of color and design is clearly seen in their creation of rag rugs and mats.

Graphically wonderful for the wall or floor this rag rug from the Shaker community has been worked with wool strips in red, russet, cream, blue, tan and lavender.

This sophisticated piece has a crocheted backing, typical of the Shakers, through which the wool strips are worked.