Hooked rugs became art form

#MiddleburyCT #Antiques #HookedRugs

No one is sure who made the first hooked rugs, but most historians think it was the Vikings. We do know that, in the early 19th century, floormats were made in the United States from 9-inch-long pieces of yarn left over from machines that made rugs.

This hooked rug with a picture of the continental United States has the name of the recipient and the date on the back. It brought $469 at Cowan’s Auctions. (Kovels.com)

The first rugs to interest U.S. collectors were made at Grenfell Mission, a philanthropic organization founded in 1892 to help residents of Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada. In the 1920s and ’30s, they developed a cottage industry to make and sell handicrafts. Items included knitted goods and hooked rugs from donated dyed silk stockings, and later flannelette, wool and burlap. The rugs had artists’ scenes of Labrador and were sold in retail shops in the U.S. and England. Grenfell rugs are now prized by collectors.

By 1940, rug making had become an art form, not just a job for the poor. Artists and amateurs made hooked rugs to use or sell. This hooked rug pictures a map of the United States. On the back it reads, “For Peter Stone on his 5th birthday Nov. 10, 1940, with Carlo’s love.” Perfect provenance. It sold at a Cowan’s auction for $469.

Q: I found an old serving tray in a resale shop that caught my eye. It is hand painted with flowers and leaves. There is a lot of gold detail. It looks old. The saleswoman said it was toleware. What is that?

A: Toleware is painted tinware, usually with a black varnished background and designs painted on by hand or stenciled. It is correct to call any painted tin-plated sheet metal “painted tin.” Tin was painted to protect it from rust as well as to make it attractive. Toleware made before the 19th century was often called japanned ware. The designs were sometimes inspired by Japanese lacquer ware. Toleware prices depend on the design and whether there is rust or paint loss. It is very popular today and a tray can sell for $200 or more. There also is toleware with a red background.

TIP: Don’t shake dirt out of a small rug. The whipping action will break small fibers and loosen the knots. You can put it face down on clean snow. It will remove dust and dirt.

Current Prices

Glass decanter, Kluck Kluck, blue, shaped sides, short cylindrical neck, flattened rim, clear and blue stopper, Holmegaard, 1960s, 10 1/4 x 3 3/8 inches, $85.

Doll, Mary Hoyer, Amish girl, hard plastic, sleep eyes, brunette hair, blue dress, white apron, pleated bonnet, original box with inserts, 1950s, 14 inches, $240.

Jewelry, pin and earrings, trembler, layered brass flowers, domed moonstone cabochon centers, dangling filigree brass beads with moonstone ends, Joseff of Hollywood, pin 6 x 3 inches, earrings 2 1/2 inches, $935.

Toy, seesaw with rocking clowns, painted cast iron, two clowns with hinged arms and hips, rocking action makes marble roll from one clown to the other, Muller & Kadeder, Germany, 8 1/2 inches, $1,110.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.

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