Rugs in The Scandinavian Countries

In spite of the cold climate, the people of the northern countries did very little weaving for floorcoverings. From ancient times they made wall hangings, bed covers and cushions which were called rya or flossa.

The word rya means rough or rough hair. These small pieces were made with a flat weave or combinations of flat and knotted fabric.

The flossa was a tighter weave with a shorter pile. Where these techniques originated is not clear, probably in Sweden or western Finland, from which they spread to Norway and Denmark.

They have a close relationship to all folk weaving, with designs ranging from simple stripes and squares to gay and elaborate floral and animal patterns. The motifs are always flat, conventionalized and nai've.