a carpet, 'Röda rabatten', round, knotted pile, diameter c 287 cm, AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström, unsigned
Designed in 1944. Woven by weavers Marta Pålsson and Marta Persson. Manufacturing number 1613 in AB Märta Måås-Fjetterström's archive. In the archive this carpet is referred to as 'Röd flossa' (Red knotted pile'). This shows that No. 1613 is the first woven carpet, hence not yet named 'Röda Rabatten'. Bukowskis thanks AB MMF's Senior Executive Angelica Persson for her help with this information.
SKF Svenska Kullagerfabriken (Swedish Ball Bearing Factory), Gothenburg. Delivered December 16, 1944
Compare with rectangular "Blå rabatten" Märta Måås-Fjetterström och verkstaden i Båstad, Stockholm 1951, plate 28; Plath, Iona: The Decorative Arts of Sweden, New York 1966, plate page 46; Harrison Beer, Eileena: Scandinavian Design, USA 1976, plate page 134; af Klercker, Susanne: Antikt - Bukowskis experter berättar, Västerås/Spanien 2006, colour plate page 183; Liljevalchs konsthalls katalog: Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta flyger igen, 90 år med Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Värnamo 2009, colour plate page 146-147.
'Rabatten' is one of Barbro Nilsson's most cherished designs, woven multiple times in various sizes. The pattern was created for the fashion director Sahlén, at Norrlandsgatan in Stockholm, for his fashion shows where his models could dance around on the round rugs in the latest lines. These round rugs were made in red, blue, green, and yellow. Later, a white 'Rabatten' was also woven. In addition to 'Rabatten', Barbro Nilsson's 'Tigerfällen' pattern, was also made in a round shape, this one is also represented at the department during this auction."