Märta Måås-Fjetterström was the leading figure in Swedish textile design in the early 20th century. Through her rug-weaving studio, MMF AB, Måås-Fjetterström introduced a modern and cosmopolitan spirit to the tradition-bound craft, creating some of the era’s most sublime rugs and carpets — works that are elegant yet have a handmade warmth and honesty.
Måås-Fjetterström was the daughter of a small-town minister, and her creative bent led her to study drawing at the School of Industrial Arts in Stockholm between 1890 and 1895. She became an art teacher after graduating and began drafting textile designs in the late 1890s. At the time, Sweden was experiencing many of the same cultural concerns that fueled the English Arts and Crafts movement: fears that industrialization was causing many traditional handicrafts to wither into extinction. The state supported numerous artisan workshops, and Måås-Fjetterström was hired as director of a weaving studio in the southern city of Mälmo in 1905. She was dismissed six years later for insisting that artisans be allowed to create original patterns rather than merely copy old ones.
She traveled widely in search of design inspirations, and in 1919 — thanks in large part to the patronage of Ludvig Nobel, grand-nephew of Alfred Nobel, who commissioned her to make all the rugs for a new country manor hotel — Måås-Fjetterström opened her own workshop. There she trained many of Sweden’s best modern weavers, including Barbo Nilsson and Marianne Richter (the latter, a widely celebrated mid-century modernist designer, became a leader at Måås-Fjetterström's atelier after its founder's death in 1941).
A major exhibition in Stockholm in 1934 brought public acclaim, a reputation secured worldwide by exhibitions at the British Museum in 1936 and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1939. Måås-Fjetterström’s company, MMF AB, is still in operation, and most of her roughly 700 designs are available for fabrication.
A broad range of influences can be seen in Måås-Fjetterström’s designs, among them Art Nouveau and classic Near Eastern and Asian styles. Her rug patterns fall roughly into two groups: The first includes stylized floral and other naturalistic motifs as well as modernized folkloric themes. The second comprises those employing geometric “tiles” in a formal composition based on that of Persian rugs, with an intricate border surrounding a central medallion.
Måås-Fjetterström generally used a subtle color palette: Soft pastels predominate, punctuated by the odd vibrant note. Her rugs are remarkable for their flexibility of use in decor schemes. They are a perfect complement to simple modern furniture in both blond and darker finishes; at the same time, the rugs can act as a perfect calming foil to more ornate historical styles. Måås-Fjetterström's creations, particularly signed vintage pieces, are highly collectible. Her designs are found in the world's leading museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.
Find a collection of vintage MMF AB wall decorations, rugs and carpets on 1stDibs.
Barbro Nilsson for AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström 'Snäckorna' Carpet
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Barbro Nilsson for AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, carpet, model ‘Snäckorna’, wool on linen warp, Sweden, design 1943, production afterwards Exceptional hand-woven carpet designed by th...
Wool, Linen
Märta Måås-fjetterström “Schackrutig Brun” Brown Grid Carpet Signed Ab Mmf Bn
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Barbro Nilsson, easily Sweden’s greatest colorist of the Twentieth Century, shows us here that she can do subtlety as well as statement. This example, with a small amount of contrast...
Wool, Linen
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Märta Måås-Fjetterström "Crocus" Handwoven Linen-backed Swedish Wall Hanging
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Crocus tapestry by Marta Maas Fjetterstrom. A nice, and somewhat rare, size, and fully backed with linen and tabs for inserting a dowel rod. This design was made in many colorways, w...
Wool, Linen
Wall Tapestry by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måas-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Handwoven wool tapestry mounted on linen Designed by Barbro Nilsson for Mårta Måås-Fjetterström in 1925 and produced after 1941 Signed by AB MMF Designed and made in Båstad, Sweden.
Wool
$995Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Modern Tapestry "Pensé Blomlapp" by Märta Måås Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Uccle, BE
"Pensé Blomlapp" (Pansy flower patch) created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, is a beautifully handwoven flatweave tapestry from Sweden. Handwoven in wool, it has dimensions of H25.5 x W...
Wool
$1,592Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Grodbla Tapestry, 1940's
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Uccle, BE
"Grodbla" (frog) created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, is a beautifully handwoven flatweave tapestry from Sweden. Handmade in linen, it has a framed dimensions of H42 x W45.5 x D3 cm a...
Oak, Linen
Mid 20th Century Swedish Pillow by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
"GRODBLAD" Sweden, circa 1943 Measures: 1'5" x 1'0" (43 x 30 cm) Initialed: AB MMF (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström) Handwoven.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Rug by Barbro Nilsson
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Sweden, circa 1945 Signed 'AB MMF BN' (Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström workshop ) Handwoven Measures: 10'2" x 7'6" (310 x 229 cm).
Wool
Pillow, 'Nejlikan Röd', in Wool by Barbro Nilsson, 1950
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pillow, 'Nejlikan Röd', in Wool by Barbro Nilsson, 1950 Additional Information: Material: Wool Style: Mid Century, Scandinavian Pillow Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB in Swed...
Wool
Swedish Flat-Weave Rug/Runner by AB Märta Måås-fjetterström and Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave rug/runner Initialed: AB MMF BN (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström Barbro Nilsson) Handwoven.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pillow by AB MMF
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
"Grodblad" Sweden, circa 1941 Measures: 1'5" x 1'4" (43 x 41 cm) Initialed: AB MMF (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström).
Wool
Märta Måås Fjetterström Handwoven 'Blå Heden' Carpet in Wool
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Märta Måås Fjetterström for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, handwoven 'Blå heden' carpet, wool on linen warp, Sweden, designed in 1931 and woven after 1942 This handwoven carpet is desi...
Wool, Linen
$23,147Sale Price|20% Off
Mint "Grön äng" pure wool rölakan rug by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Sweden 1928.
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Ystad, SE
Rare “Grön Äng / Green Meadow” Rölakan Carpet by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Signed AB MMF. Sweden. An important and highly collectible Swedish rölakan flatweave...
Wool
Swedish Pile Rug by Märta Måås-fjetterström and Barbro Nilsson
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Pile Rug by Märta Måås-Fjetterström and Barbro Nilsson Initialed: AB MMF BN (Märta Måås-Fjetterström , Barbro Nilsson) Handwoven.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Rug by Ab Märta Måås-fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Sweden, circa 1945 Initialed 'AB MMF BN' (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson) Handwoven Measures: 7'3" x 5'1" (221 x 155 cm).
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Rug by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
'Vita Spetsporten' Sweden, circa 1934 Initialed: AB MMF (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström) Measures: 10'2" x 6'9" (310 x 206 cm) Handwoven.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Rug by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Sweden, circa 1935 Initialed: AB MMF (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström) Handwoven Measures: 10'10" x 7'5" (330 x 226 cm).
Wool
Swedish Flat Weave Rug by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
'Rosengång' Swedish flat-weave rug by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström Sweden, circa 1943 Initialed: AB MMF, BN (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson) Handwoven.
Wool
Mid-20th Century Yellow and Green Swedish Flatweave by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Yellow and Green Swedish Flatweave Rug Initialed: "AB MMF, BN" (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Barbro Nilsson) Sweden, circa 1946 This flatweave features a series of f...
Wool
Rug 'Ursula' Designed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström for MMF AB, Sweden, 1935
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug “Ursula” designed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström for MMF AB, Sweden, 1935. Handwoven wool. Measurements: L 270 cm/ 8' 10 ¾” W 164 cm/ 5' 5”. Märta Måås-Fjetterström estab...
Wool
Rug ‘Sun Spots’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, MMF
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rug ‘Sun Spots’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Sweden, 1966. Wool. Signed. Tapestry technique. Provenance: From a private Swedish collection. The int...
Wool
Bobyrug’s Nice Vintage Polish Tapestry Kilim
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very beautiful mid century polish tapestry Kilim, with beautiful native design and nice colors, entirely hand woven with wool on cotton foundation. ✨✨...
Wool, Cotton
Opticals Wall Hanging Dazzle Handwoven Wool in Black and White
By Begüm Cana Özgür
Located in Istanbul, TR
Opticals taps into the visual phenomenon of optical illusions. The collection explores the visual potential of the very basic weaving technique of creating vertical lines. Inspir...
Wool
$950
H 24.02 in W 44.1 in D 0.3 in
Swedish Folk Art Pomegranate Embroidery Tapestry by Edna Nihlén, Sweden 1956
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A captivating pomegranate tapestry featuring twisted chain stitch embroidery by Edna Nihlén, crafted in Sweden in 1956. This piece showcases four segments, each displaying either fou...
Wool
$7,933
H 13.78 in W 35.44 in D 0.12 in
Tapestry "Röd Crocus" by Ann-Mari Forsberg for Märta Måås-Fjetterström, 1960s
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Important wall tapestry,"Röd Crocus" by Ann-Mari Forsberg for Märta Måås-Fjetterström, 1960s.. Wool and linen on wool warp. Designed in 1945. Handwoven flatware tapestry at Märta Måå...
Wool, Linen
Swedish Wall Hanging, AMF, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Wall hanging, Sweden. Initialed: AMF.
Wool
Swedish Mid-century Tapestry By Jönköpings Läns Hemslöjd
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Mid-Century Tapestry in a geometric design in blue, brown, dark purple and green shades. Very good condition with the makers label attached on the back. Dimensions: H 13.25 ...
Wool, Linen
$5,270
H 72 in W 104 in D 1 in
Monumental Handwoven Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging Mid-Century Abstract Lansdscape
Located in Troy, MI
Expansive handwoven fiber art by Chantal and Olivier De France "Paysage de la Beuce" Tapestry in wool 8.5' x 6' Circa 1968 Room defining tapestry of an abstracted landscape in vibr...
Wool
$1,500
H 30 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Vintage Linen and Wool "Linenknoppen" Tapestry in the Style of Märta Måås Fjette
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Mid-Century Tapestry in the design "Linenknoppen" originally by Märta Måås Fjetterström. Blue, green, red and yellow colored blocks in wool against a beige linen back...
Wool, Linen
$4,666
H 0.4 in W 42.92 in D 24.41 in L 24.41 in
Tapestry "Täppan" by Märta Måås-Fjetterström for MMF AB, Sweden, 1940s
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Textile by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, titled “Täppan”, executed in refined tapestry technique. This beautifully balanced composition, originally designed in 1931, exemplifies the artis...
Wool
Large Abstract Wool Wall Tapestry, Sweden, 1988
Located in Rīga, LV
Unique wall hanging featuring a grid of geometric motifs in warm earthy tones of ochre, rust, and brown, handwoven in linen and wool. The piece bears a label reading “Gift from the P...
Wool, Linen
"Linneknoppen" tapestry by Märta Måås Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Vintage "Linneknoppen" tapestry handwoven at AB Märta Måås-Fjetterströms ateliers in Båstad, Sweden. Wool inlay on linen in blue, red, yellow and natural colors showing a g...
Wool
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.86 in W 13 in D 0.08 in
Märta Måås-Fjetterström signed “Bandet” Tapestry by Ann-Mari Forsberg
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Portman Gallery is pleased to present a tapestry woven in Bastad at the storied weavery Märta Måås-Fjetterström, designed by Ann Marie Forsberg in the mid-twentieth century. “Bande...
Wool
Swedish Modern Tapestry "Pensé Blomlapp" by Märta Måås Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Uccle, BE
"Pensé Blomlapp" (Pansy flower patch) created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, is a beautifully handwoven flatweave tapestry from Sweden. Handmade in wool, it has dimensions of H23.5 x W2...
Wool
Märta Måås-Fjetterström Swedish wool Tapestry, 1960's
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Uccle, BE
Red Horse Swedish modern wool tapestry. Märta Måås-Fjetterström (1873-1941), considered to be one of the greatest textile artists in Sweden. She founded her studio in the southern p...
Wool
Vintage Märta Måås-Fjetterström Clog Tapestry, 1940's
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Uccle, BE
"Clog," created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, is a beautifully handwoven flatweave tapestry from Sweden. Handmade in wool using a wool warp, it has framed dimensions of H38 x W40.5 x D...
Wool, Oak
Vintage Swedish "Täppan" tapestry
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Uccle, BE
"Täppan," created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, is a beautifully handwoven flatweave tapestry from Sweden. Made with expert craftsmanship in wool, it measures roughly 24 x 24 cm and be...
Wool
Sold
H 87.8 in W 79.93 in D 0.2 in
Tapestry 'Balls' designed by Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB
By Marianne Richter, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Stockholm, SE
Tapestry 'Balls' designed by Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB, Sweden, 1969 Signed.
Textile
Sold
H 69.3 in W 63 in D 0.4 in
Large Tapestry “Tuppamattan" by Marianne Richter for Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Marianne Richter
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This is a rare handwoven and large tapestry rug mural designed by Marianne Richter (1916-2010) for AB Märta Måås-Fjetterströms ateliers in Båstad, Sweden. The composition is called "...
Wool, Linen
Sold
H 14.18 in W 19.69 in D 0.2 in
Vintage Swedish Tapestry, Knoppen, the Bud, by Märta Måås-Fjetterström, MMF
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vintage Swedish Tapestry, name: "Knoppen", the Bud, by Märta Måås-Fjetterström 1873-1941. The Pattern "The Bud", was designed 1932. This tapes...
Wool, Linen
Sold
H 34 in W 64 in D 1 in
Märta Måås-Fjetterström "Knopparna"/The Buds Small Handwoven Swedish Flatweave
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Märta Måås-Fjetterström "Knopparna"/The Buds Small Handwoven Swedish Flatweave. MMF's exploration of the harlequin, with a diamond geometric pattern. Sage green, blacks, yellows, ...
Wool, Linen
Sold
H 0.4 in W 82.68 in D 54.14 in
Exhibited Vintage Wallhanging Tapestry "the Rye" by Ab Märta Måås-fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Exhibited, vintage wall tapestry by one of the most famous Swedish designers Märta Måås-Fjetterström. Made at her studio in the 1990s. The patter...
Cotton, Linen
Sold
H 10.83 in W 11.82 in D 0.2 in
Scandinavian Modern Tapestry Märta Måås Fjettström, "Lövendahl", AB MMF
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in Stockholm, SE
Scandinavian Modern tapestry by Märta Måås-Fjettström, "Lövendal", manufacture by AB MMF. The pattern Lövendal was created in 1928.
Wool, Linen
Sold
W 125.99 in L 98.43 in
Barbro Nilsson Carpet ‘Nejlikan Röd’ Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1, Barbro Lundberg Nilsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare carpet ‘Nejlikan röd’ designed by Barbro Nilsson. Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB in Sweden.
Wool
Handwoven Signed Swedish Mid-Century Wool Rug
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This signed mid-century Swedish rug has a shaded blue field with three central columns of linked chocolate-brown and soft-brown sharp lozenges outlined in ivory, flanked at each side...
Wool