American Folk Art Portraits
Getting Hooked on Rugs
Hooked rugs have advanced in the world, from the kitchen floor to the wall as works of art. There’s a new generation of hookers whose work will never see the bottom of a shoe. For an increasing number of hookers (yes, that’s what they call themselves), hooking is like painting. The wool is their paint and the hook is their paintbrush.
Similar to paintings, there is now a wide array of hooked rug designs, from stark modern forms to folkloric scenes, subtle landscapes, and expressionistic self-portraits. But it wasn’t always that way. Rug hooking was simply a way to use scraps of cloth too worn for even rag duty.
Farmers, fishermen and their wives, who emigrated from northern Europe and settled in Canada and along the New England coastline, probably introduced the craft to North America. Originating from Scotland, England, France, Scandinavia and Germany, they brought with them the tradition of handmade rugs, many of which are now considered a noteworthy category of folk art. Then, as now, all that was required was a hook, some rag strips or yarn, and a foundation material attached to a simple stretcher of four wood slats lashed together.
Dating to the early 19th century, these hooked rugs (different from yarn sewn or rag rugs) originated in the New England states and Canadian Maritime Provinces. They were primitive and utilitarian, done with pictorial, floral and geometric designs, often portraying a subject from the maker’s life: a home, farm, barnyard animals, pets, birds and flowers. Wool, flannel, and cotton pieces were cut into 1/4 inch-wide strips and then pulled in loops through a stiff woven backing such as burlap.
While these rugs were made with the same skill as schoolgirls’ embroideries or samplers and fine needlework, hooked rugs were utilitarian, fashioned to hide dirt or wood floors or to be laid before the hearth. They were “the art of poverty,” They weren’t found in fine houses. If a rug was attractive, so much the better, but they were meant to provide warmth, and the women who produced them used what-ever fabric scraps they had and hooked them up quickly. When the rugs fell apart, they were thrown away.
The naive creator-inspired designs thrived from 1830 to 1850, and circa-1860 pattern makers began printing and selling pre-stenciled rug kits on burlap, mass-produced and lacking the freer, less technically correct original motifs. The stenciled rugs were more symmetrical, less fanciful and more realistic, but many women added their own individual touches, and several rugs based on the same pattern could each look very different.
By the late 1800s, patterns were being stamped onto the burlap (showing the hooker what areas to fill in and in which color), allowing more complicated designs to be created and reproduced. Rug hooking became a booming craft industry over the next half-century, especially in the Northeast.
The evolution of the hooked rug from craft to art occurred as hookers began to explore and create more one-of-a-kind works. Today, these rugs have gained appreciation among collectors and interior designers. Hooked rugs dating to the 1800s and early 1900s can now command thousands of dollars. Prices for the oldest and rarest of these 19th-century rugs have now reached the financial stratosphere. Interest and admiration of this craft was dormant until a pioneering 1976 exhibition of hooked rugs, organized by Joel and Kate Kopp (formerly of America Hurrah) at the Museum of American Folk Art in New York. Whether as a hobby or a family heirloom, hooked rugs are back in America.
Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism in Vintage Music and Photography 1890-1950
|
|
“All we ask is a fair trial” Black American prison folk art $100,000.00 |
|
|
Lawrence Lebduska Folk Art $100,000.00 |
|
|
Antique Pair of Iconic American Folk Art Carved Pine Wood Eagle Sculpture – RARE $20,000.00 |
|
|
Mamie Falk Folk Art Oil Painting – Considered Minnesota’s “Grandma Moses” $19,750.00 |
|
|
Yuri Gorbachev ORIGINAL Landscape Oil painting Folk Art $17,500.00 |
|
|
Antique American Folk Art Oil Painting Horse & Homestead in background.see pics! $10,000.00 |
|
|
Rare Postmortem 1810 Young Girl w/ Dog Portrait Pastel Painting Dated Folk Art $9,995.00 |
|
|
Original Oil On Canvas Painting by Minni Hines Bayou Scene Folk Art 24×48 $9,995.00 |
|
|
Folk Art wood statue of Grover Cleveland 1894 $9,500.00 |
|
|
Antique Ship Captain Folk Art Carved Coconut Chalice $8,500.00 |
|
|
Chinese folk art sculpture carving stone inkstone for painting and handwriting $6,890.00 |
|
|
Chinese handcraft folk art stone sculpture carving inkstone inkslab fly dragon $6,329.00 |
|
|
Banjo Boy/ Pre-Civil War Folk Art on Linen $6,000.00 |
|
|
Yuri Gorbachev Original Oil Painting Russian Art Folk $5,990.00 |
|
|
Chinese handcraft folk art sculpture carving inkstone inkslab—Avalokitesvara $5,590.00 |
|
|
AMERICAN FOLK ART PUPPET THEATRE QUEENS,NY $5,000.00 |
|
|
Clementine Hunter Signed Framed Folk Art Painting Cotton Pickin’ c1977 20×26.25 $5,000.00 |
|
|
vincent van gogh sculpture outsider folk art Dale Teachout assemblage junk $5,000.00 |
|
|
Bessie Harvey Folk Art Found Object Museum Piece!!! $5,000.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE 19th CENTURY AMERICAN FOLK ART FISH HOOK MASSIVE IRON TRADE SIGN $4,999.99 |
|
|
PAIR OF 19TH C FOLK ART PORTRAITS PAINTINGS SIGNED P MARTIN 1886 HUSBAND & WIFE $4,999.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE 19th CENTURY AMERICAN FOLK ART ETCHED GLASS ALLEGHENY CTY PA GERMAN WOW $4,999.99 |
|
|
Signed OLD master GESSO FRAME OIL ON CANVAS PORTRAIT NELSON pipe Folk art $4,999.00 |
|
|
Clementine Hunter Folk Art Painting Signed “Picking Cotton” $4,850.00 |
|
|
Chinese folk art sculpture carving stone inkstone double dragon holding the sun $4,690.00 |
|
|
A Outstanding Early Trade Axe,Folk Art Hatchet, $4,500.00 |
|
|
Corbels Pair Wood Winged Griffins Victorian Old Paint Architectural Folk Art $4,500.00 |
|
|
FOLK ART OIL PAINTING PORTRAIT CHILD ICONIC RED DRESS PRINCE CHARLES SPANIEL $4,500.00 |
|
|
FOLK ART PAINTING SULLIVAN COUNTY NEW YORK J R GEROW $4,500.00 |
|
|
Johnnie Swearingen! Great Folk Art!!! Peddling Melons $4,500.00 |
|
|
New England Folk Art Portrait on Canvas Ca.1830 $4,500.00 |
|
|
Clementine Hunter Signed Framed Folk Art Painting Wash Day c1977 19.25 x 23.25in $4,500.00 |
|
|
Yuri Gorbachev Original Oil Painting Russian Art Folk $4,490.00 |
|
|
FANTASTIC FOLK ART CHEST $4,200.00 |
|
|
Clementine Hunter Signed Framed Folk Art Painting African Headdress c1977 25.5h $4,000.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE MINIATURE PRIMITIVE FOLK ART WOOD RURAL SCENE FRAMED 12 1/4″ UNIQUE $3,885.00 |
|
|
*RARE TRAMP / FOLK ART Shoe Shine Box – Brass/Wood-Detailed-Ornate-Exquisite $3,800.00 |
|
|
Antique KNOTTY Tree Root Twig FOLK ART CHAIR Set GOODY KOONCH West Virginia $3,750.00 |
|
|
Original Mexican Folk Art Icons Retablo:18-19th century $3,650.00 |
|
|
Chinese handcraft folk art sculpture carving inkstone-an old man finshing alone $3,590.00 |
|
|
Folk Art Hand Carved Soldier,6ft Tall Pick Up Only $3,532.50 |
|
|
Painting Vintage 50s Cowboy Folk Art Levis Jeans Vinicur Little Buckaroo Parade $3,500.00 |
|
|
Advertising Art / Folk Art / Christmas Hooked Rug – 5′x3 1/2′ $3,500.00 |
|
|
Johnnie Swearingen! Great Folk Art!!! $3,500.00 |
|
|
Chinese handcraft folk art sculpture carving inkstone inkslab—Lofty aspiration $3,490.00 |
|
|
Terrazzo Marble Micro Mosaic Latin Ethnic Musicians Mural Folk Fine Art $3,374.99 |
|
|
Original Mexican Folk Art Icons Retablo:18-19th century $3,250.00 |
|
|
FINE 19c EARLY FOLK ART PORTRAIT PAINTING $3,225.00 |
|
|
MASTERPIECE FOLK ART PORTRAIT BY SHELDON PECK, 1797-1868 $3,000.00 |
|
|
Israel Jewish Art,Sara Hagay,Israeli Folk Dance “hora”,Oil,Judaica,Framed $3,000.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE 19th AMERICAN FOLK ART NATURALIST BUFFALO SETON STYLE CATLIN PAINTING $2,999.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE AMERICAN FOLK ART WOOD CANE ISLE ROYALE FIRE WW2 D DAY GI ? KENOSHA WI $2,999.99 |
|
|
Chinese handcraft folk art sculpture carving inkstone inkslab man walk in forest $2,999.00 |
|
|
Chinese handcraft folk art sculpture carving inkstone inkslab a man watch moon $2,999.00 |
|
|
fine Chinese handcraft folk art stone sculpture carving inkstone inkslab scenery $2,890.00 |
|
|
Temperance Movement Folk Art Painting Folk Art Temperance Painting $2,850.00 |
|
|
Anonymous Folk Art Carving Figure with Crown in Skirt with Snake $2,799.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE OIL PAINTING FOLK ART NEW ENGLAND ‘HUGES’ 1892 $2,750.00 |
|
|
Chinese handcraft folk art stone sculpture carving inkstone inkslab with dragon $2,690.00 |
|
|
FOLK ART Antique Wood Polychrome Carved Asian Figure Sculpture $2,500.00 |
|
|
HUGE 37″ Antique 19th American Folk Art Carved Gilt Wood Eagle Statue Americana $2,500.00 |
|
|
FOLK ART OIL PAINTING OF THE SS “OCEAN” STEAMSHIP $2,475.00 |
|
|
Ca. 1820 American Folk Art Painting Deformed Man $2,450.00 |
|
|
Doris Lee – Folk Art Painting – Signed and Titled – Original Condition $2,400.00 |
|
|
James Harold Jennings Amazing and Colorful Folk Art! $2,400.00 |
|
|
DC: Prison Folk Art Matchstick Ship, HUGE 5′ Length $2,379.00 |
|
|
Amazing ORIGINAL NAUTICAL AMERICAN FOLK ART PAINTING $2,285.00 |
|
|
FOLK ART COLLAGE/Presidential Stamp Collage $2,250.00 |
|
|
Early 20th Century Folk Art Sheep Painting/ Inside Barn $2,250.00 |
|
|
Folk Art Handmade Ceramic Sculpture Plaque Dentist Pulling Tooth Dicker Vintage $2,200.00 |
|
|
outsider, folk art painting of farm family amer gothic $2,200.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE Americana TRADE SIGN IMMIGRATION FOLK ART NYC ICE CREAM PUSH CART $2,200.00 |
|
|
HAITIAN ART: Vibrant PAINTING, SIGNED by Renowned Folk Artist TOUSSAINT AUGUSTE $2,150.00 |
|
|
Ohio Pioneer Abraham Betz 1818 HANDWRITTEN LESSON BOOK with FOLK ART $2,150.00 |
|
|
Philippines National Artist Abdul Imao Brass Sculpture w/ Base Mindanao Folk Art $2,100.00 |
|
|
Ellen Eilers Folk Art Woodcut Print Ornamental Trees Very Rare Early Work $2,000.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE 19th CENTURY AMERICAN FOLK ART FRUIT STILL LIFE WATERMELON OIL PAINTING $1,999.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE AMERICAN FOLK ART WOOD BALEEN CARVED SPERM WHALE GROTESQUE AMERICANA WOW $1,999.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE AMERICAN FOLK ART SHIP LIGHTHOUSE LARGE OIL PAINTING GERNAND VERMIER $1,999.99 |
|
|
Vtg Rutherford Tubby Brown Xmas 25″Folk Art Santa Claus $1,999.99 |
|
|
AMERICAN FOLK ART GAMEBOARD TABLE WITH SWASTIKAS $1,999.00 |
|
|
Chinese handcraft folk art sculpture carving inkstone peasant work on his land $1,999.00 |
|
|
LAURA SIQUEIROS “POSEIDONS ADVENTURE” FOLK ART PAINTING $1,999.00 |
|
|
Old Folk Art Cinderella pre Disney & Kincade Beautiful $1,995.00 |
|
|
C Peterson ORIGINAL modern FOLKART sculpture SIGN ART painted OUT of WORK tools $1,975.00 |
|
|
Clyde Connell 1943 Folk Art hooked rug signed LISTED $1,900.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE AMERICAN FOLK ART WOOD CARVING TOBACCO CIGAR TRADE SIGN ? DISPLAY WOW $1,899.99 |
|
|
Chinese folk art sculpture carving stone inkstone for painting and handwriting $1,890.00 |
|
|
OLD Fine African Primitive Folk Art WOOD SCULPTURE antique carving artwork Baule $1,865.45 |
|
|
WELSH AMERICAN SIGNED FOLK ART PAINTING JFK PT 109 $1,850.00 |
|
|
ORIGINAL TEXAS ARTIST FERGUSON OIL PAINTING FOLK ART $1,822.50 |
|
|
American Folk Art Painting of Little Girl Circa 1825 $1,800.00 |
|
|
Emma Schrock Folk Art 16″ by 12″ $1,795.00 |
|
|
c1920 Girl Knitting Folk Woman Antique Art Signed Oil Estate Painting $1,795.00 |
|
|
Folk Art New England Oil on Canvas Painting/Circa 1860 $1,750.00 |
|
|
HUTCH TABLE WITH FOLK ART 4 SEASON ARTIST PAINTED TOP $1,750.00 |
|
|
Older Carved Maine Folk Art Wood Fish L Irvine Landlocked Salmon $1,749.99 |
|
|
Painting Dominican Republic Cuban Spain Caribbean Folk Art Alberto Lestrad $1,700.00 |
|
|
OLD AMERICAN FOLK ART DECO PEACOCK LRG WOOD CARVING $1,699.99 |
|
|
primitive folk art style theorem painting Ellinger S.E.Pa. artist signed & dated $1,695.00 |
