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Rya rug

A rya is a traditional Scandinavian high-pile wool rug made of knots.

The first Scandinavian ryas date back to the 15th century and were coarse, long-haired, heavy blankets worn by seal hunters and deep-sea fishermen instead of furs. The insulation provided by the ryas protected against Scandinavia's cold climate.

Later, the rugs became lighter and more ornamental and, in the 19th century, they were often splendid festive tapestries that were considered valuable heirlooms.

In the mid-20th century, the rya became a kind of art canvas, identifiable by its colors, patterns and techniques, in the same way that one identifies an artist's canvas.

The impressive ryas rugs of the 1960s and 1970s were machine-made to very high quality standards in 100% pure wool with a pile of 2.5 cm. Their quality is reflected in the fact that, some 10 to 15 years after the 25-year guarantee period, a large proportion of the rugs are still shiny and intact.

Even today, ryas are often displayed on a wall during the warmer summer months and taken down to be used on the floor or even in bed during the cold Scandinavian winters.