Sweden
1944
Wool
124″ x 81 1/2″

In 1931, when Carl Malmsten was commissioned to design a number of suites at the Waldorf Astoria, he invited Märta Måås-Fjetterström to New York City to create the carpets. Upon her return to Sweden, she was inspired by her impressions of the Empire State Building to design the “Tornet” (“Tower”) carpet.

Fjetterström founded her studio in 1919, about ten years after creating a weaving school in Sweden. She was a prolific designer, and soon had 20 former students in her workshop bringing her watercolor sketches to life. After her death in 1941, Carl Malmsten with the king of Sweden and the director of the National Museum ensured the survival of her workshop, and MMF has continued to produce its founder’s designs to the same exacting standards of quality.

An unusual distinction of this particular Tornet carpet is that it is both signed and dated. In excellent vintage condition.