Swedish textile artist Marianne Richter is internationally revered for her range of extraordinary rugs, carpets and large tapestries. Her textiles featured a variety of provocative geometric shapes in warm earth tones and dazzling graphic patterns.
A master in her field, Richter created works that adorn Swedish embassies all over the world. One of her most notable pieces was a 200-square-meter wall hanging that she created for the United Nations building in New York City.
Born in 1916, in Helsingborg, Sweden, Richter was the second of seven children in her family. Her father was a merchant and her mother was a homemaker.
She trained at the Technical School in Stockholm with a focus on textiles (and also eventually worked in ceramics, too). When she completed her studies, Richter apprenticed for Märta Måås-Fjetterström at MMF AB — the widely celebrated designer’s atelier — where the budding textile artist worked during the summers. After her apprenticeship, Richter went on to work for Svensk Hemslöjd — a handicraft association in Växjö, Sweden.
In the early 1940s, Barbro Nilsson — a Swedish textile designer known for popularizing Scandinavian modernism within the decorative arts — invited Richter to return to MMF AB in Båstad — this time as a designer — where she would become pivotal to the growth of the company.
In a time when machine-made textiles were gaining popularity, Richter became a leader at the facility and her innovative mid-century modern works — as well as those produced by Nilsson and designer Ann-Mari Forsberg — brought considerable attention to MMF AB, which is still Sweden’s foremost atelier for hand-woven art textiles.
The wall hanging that Richter designed for the United Nations building in Manhattan was commissioned by the Swedish government (it was intended for the Economic and Social Affairs Council Chamber, which was designed by Sven Markelius). For more than a year, ten artisans at MMF AB worked with wool and linen to produce Richter’s design. In 1968, the piece had to be restored as it began to disintegrate, partly owing to an effect that chemicals had on the textile as part of a fireproofing process that took place when it arrived in Manhattan.
Richter continued to work at MMF AB until the 1970s, creating pile rugs, flatwoven rugs and tapestries, while also teaching at the Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. She died in 2010.
Find vintage Marianne Richter rugs and carpets on 1stDibs.
Swedish Mid Century Woven Wool Rug by Marianne Richter & Märta Måås Fjetterström
By Marianne Richter, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and decorative Swedish mid century "Rosen Blå" wool pile rug in beige, blue and green designed by Marianne Richter in 1972 and produced by "MFF" / Märta Måås-Fjetterström in S...
Wool
Rya carpet 'Kolmården' by Marianne Richter, Östergyllan, Sweden, 1960s
By Marianne Richter
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Great Scandinavian modern rya carpet designed by Marianne Richter for Östergyllan, Sweden, during the 1960s. Model is named 'Kolmården'.
Wool
Large Swedish 'Lofstad' Rya Rug by Marianne Richter
By AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker, Marianne Richter
Located in Atlanta, GA
A warm-tone Rya rug by Swedish designer Marianne Richter in her "Lofstad" pattern. This rug was part of the Östergyllan series produced by Wahlbecks in Linköping, Sweden during the 1...
Wool, Yarn
Mid 20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Swedish Pile Carpet by AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström Sweden, circa 1955 Signed 'AB MMF' (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström)
Wool
Vintage Handwoven Green Swedish Rug Signed by Weaver
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This traditional handwoven Swedish deco rug has an overall field of checked broad alternating green and light green row. Signed by Weaver: AB MMF Marianne Richter for Marta Maas Fje...
Wool
Swedish 'LOFSTAD' Rya Rug by Marianne Richter
By AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker, Marianne Richter
Located in Atlanta, GA
A warm-tone Rya rug by Swedish designer Marianne Richter in her "Lofstad" pattern. This rug was part of the Östergyllan series produced by Wahlbecks in Linköping, Sweden during the 1...
Wool, Yarn
Vintage Scandinavian Tan Flatweave Carpet by Marianne Richter AB MMF
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
A masterclass in minimalist texture and tone, this vintage Swedish flat-weave rug by celebrated textile artist Marianne Richter exemplifies the quiet sophistication of mid-century Sc...
Wool
Mid-Century Scandinavian Rug Rya Pile Rug "Alvastra Green" By Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
A rare and vibrant example of mid-century Scandinavian textile design, this Swedish Rya rug titled "Alvastra Green" was created in the 1960s by the renowned Swedish textile artist Ma...
Wool
Late 20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Swedish flat-weave (rolaken), "The Wall in Beige" (Muren Sandfargad). Signed: AB MMF MR (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter).
Wool
Late 20th Century Brown and Beige Geometric Swedish Flatweave Carpet
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Late 20th Century Brown and Beige Geometric Swedish Flatweave Carpet Initialed: "AB MMF MR" (AB Marta Maas-Fjetterström, Marianne Richeter) "Korsvirke, brun", probably commissioned a...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Flatweave Rug by Ulla Parkdal, Signed “UP”
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish flat weave rug by Ulla Parkdal Size: 5'2" × 7'10" (157 × 238 cm) Color: Beige, brown, gold, yellow. This captivating vintage flatweave rug, designed by renowned Swedi...
Wool
Nordic Solstice: A Scandinavian Swedish-Style Masterpiece of Gilded Geometry
By Marianne Richter, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Dallas, TX
30674 New Scandinavian Swedish-Inspired Kilim Rug, 09'00 x 11'06. Behold a radiant ode to the legacy of Scandinavian Modernism—a handwoven wool kilim that channels the spirit of mid-...
Wool
Swedish Scandinavian Blue Kilim Rug Inspired by Irma Kronlund
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Irma Kronlund
Located in Dallas, TX
31127 Scandinavian Modern Swedish Inspired Kilim Rug, 09'11 x 11'11. In this captivating handwoven wool Swedish-inspired kilim rug, Scandinavian Modern style meets the tranquil essen...
Wool
Early 20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Rug by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Sweden, circa 1914 Initialed: MMF (Märta Måås-Fjetterström) Sold as a pair. #02767 measures 8' 7" x 5' 5". #02807 measures 8' 10" x 5' 6". Handwoven.
Wool
$900
W 56.3 in L 77.17 in
Marianne Richter, Sweden. Large rya carpet. Modernist design. From the 1960s/70s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Marianne Richter, Sweden. Large rya carpet. Modernist design. From the 1960s/70s. In excellent condition. Dimensions: 196 cm x 143 cm.
Wool
$799Sale Price|20% Off
W 38 in L 64 in
New Contemporary Pink Moroccan Rug with Scandinavian Modern Design
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in Dallas, TX
30615, new contemporary Moroccan style rug with Scandinavian Modern design. With its geometric design and Bohemian hygge vibes, this hand knotted wool contemporary Moroccan style rug...
Wool
Swedish Modern Märta Måås Fjerterström Flat-Weave Rug Signed MMF, 1937
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Uccle, BE
Vintage Swedish wool flat-weave rug, designed by Marta Maas-Fjetterström (1873-1941). Made in 1937. Signed MMF which is proof Marta made this rug during her lifetime. After her de...
Wool
$48,500
W 84 in L 117 in
Mid 20th Century Marta Maas-Fjetterström AB Swedish Rug Signed by Barbro Nilsson
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage hand-woven Swedish rug has a tonal overall field of camel, beige, sage and gray interwoven serrated geometric motif, overlaid by polychrome scattered tribal lozenges row...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Handwoven Wool Swedish Rug by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This signed Swedish rug has a chocolate-brown field with an outer band of polychrome octogen lozenges and a similar spaced band of lozenges around a moss-green rectangular panel with...
Wool
Modernist Muse: A Rare Vintage Swedish Flossa Rug in Sculptural Grid
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Dallas, TX
79050 Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Flossa Rug, 05'09 x 07'11. A vision of Nordic restraint meets Bauhaus bravado, this vintage Swedish Flossa rug is...
Wool
Geometric Rya Carpet by Marta Maas-Fjetterström
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A fine geometric pile carpet by Marta Maas-Fjetterström, circa 1960s, "Gul Primavera," signed MMF AB.
Wool
$13,000
W 48.43 in L 81.11 in
Märta Måås-fjetterström “Schackrutig Brun” Brown Grid Carpet Signed Ab Mmf Bn
By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson, Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB 1
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
Vintage Swedish Flat Weave Rug by Marianne Richter (Josefina Gul) Ab Mmf Mr
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Weave Rug by Marianne Richter (Josefina Gul) Ab Mmf Mr Size: 5'8" × 7'5" (172 × 226 cm) This exceptional vintage Swedish rug designed by the great Marianne Richt...
Wool
Sold
W 71.26 in L 104.34 in
Rug ‘Façade, Orange, Red’ Designed by Marianne Richter for MMF, Sweden, 1950s
By Marianne Richter, Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rölakan technique. Wool.
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim by Marianne Richter for Marta Maas. Size: 7' 4" x 7' 6"
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Square Size Vintage “Fasad” Marta Maas Swedish Kilim Rug by Marianne Richter, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Scandinavian Rugs, Circa date: 1950. Size: 7 ft 4 in x 7 ft 6 in...
Wool
Large Swedish Rya Rug Kolmården by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large Rya carpet by Swedish designer Marianne Richter. This carpet was produced by Wahlbecks in Linköping, Sweden during the 1960s. This pattern are called...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Pile Marianne Richter Rug For Marta Maas. Size: 3 ft 7 in x 4 ft
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Breathtaking and extremely Artistic Vintage Swedish Pile Marianne Richter Rug for Marta Maas, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Swedish, Circa Date: M...
Wool
Midcentury Yellow Orange & Cream “Solrosen” Rya Rug Designed by Marianne Richter
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury yellow, orange and cream “Solrosen” Rya rug designed by Marianne Richter Size: 6'0" × 6'2" (182 × 187 cm). This charming Rya rug constitutes an absolute Quintessence of Scandinavian craftsmanship. It was designed by the great Marianne Richter in the iconic workshop of Marta Maas Fjetterstrom, and the spirit of both geniuses is visible in every inch of this remarkable fabric. The almost square Swedish rug proudly bears the famous sunflower design, hence the name “Solrosen”, with the bold flower-head located in the centre and its petals gradually spreading out to the edges. The pattern is complemented by a bright color palette with predominance of muted yellows and oranges, paired with mauve, against the ivory background. Although simplistic and bordering on naïve art, the design is actually extremely sophisticated and adjusted to contemporary decorating standards. It has a chance to bring some light and joy to any interior arrangement, from Classic to modern. However, the aesthetic side is not the only forte of this fine Swedish Rya rug. Its firm body and the shaggy pile were meticulously hand knotted of first-rate wool, thanks to which the rug has survived until today without any signs of wear and if properly cared for, will serve its owners for generations. Lovely and chic, Marianne Richter’s rug...
Wool
Sold
W 51.97 in L 36.23 in
Rya Rug "Stegeborg" Designed by Marianne Richter for Wahlbecks AB, Sweden, 1960s
By AB Wahlbecks Fabbriker, Marianne Richter
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rya rug "Stegeborg" designed by Marianne Richter for Wahlbecks AB.
Wool
Vintage Marta Maas Scandinavian Marianne Richter Fasad Lattbla Rug
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Zen like Vintage Marta Maas Scandinavian Swedish Kilim Marianne Richter Fasad Lattbla Rug, country of origin / rug type: Scandinavia, circa date: mid – 20th century – This ...
Wool
Vintage Scandinavian Marta Maas Rug by Marianne Richter. Size: 5 ft 10 in x 8 ft
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Vintage Scandinavian Marta Maas Rug by Marianne Richter Country of Origin / Rug Type: Scandinavia Rug, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century.Size: 5 ft 10 in...
Wool
Blue Marianne Richter Design Swedish Rug
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Though understated in presentation, this stunning vintage rug is able to unify any area in which it is set, simply because of the colors chosen and the clearly defined angles and lin...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Flat-Weave Carpet
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th century Swedish flat-weave carpet. Initialed: AB MMF, MR (AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter).
Wool
Vintage Swedish Rya Rug By Marianne Richter Ovralid
By Marianne Richter
Located in New York, NY
This striking vintage mid-century rya from Marianne Richter's 'Ostergyllen' or eastern gold series features a phenomenal abstract composite pattern rendered in a rich assortment of j...
Wool