Crown Princess Victoria took her two children Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar to see a selection of works by renowned textile artist Märta Måås-Fjetterström during September 2020.

King Carl XVI Gustaf opened the exhibition, Look at the rugs – find me at the Royal Palace in October 2019, as part of an initiative between the Royal Court and the Fundraising Foundation for the Preservation of Knowledge of Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s Rugs and Weaving.

The exhibition features around 60 of Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s works, to mark the centenary of her studio’s opening in 1919.

The Royal Family have regularly purchased rugs from Märta Måås-Fjetterström since her workshop opened in 1919, showing their appreciation and support for Swedish craftsmanship.

Märta Måås-Fjetterström was awarded the Litteris et Artibus medal, the highest award a woman could receive, in 1924.

Several rugs are on display are from the Royal Collections, including the handwoven ‘Vita Spetsporten’ rug, designed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström in 1934, using the relief flossa technique.

The exhibition is on display in the Rikshall (Hall of State) in the Royal Palace from 1 September to Sunday, 4 October 2020, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Visit The Royal Palaces website for more details and to pre-book tickets.

For those unable to visit the Royal Palace can take a virtual tour from their homes!

About Märta Måås-Fjetterström

Märta Måås-Fjetterström (1873-1941) was one of the 20th Century’s leading and most successful textile artists in Sweden.

She was born on 21 June 1873 in Kimstad in Östergötland, Rudolf and Livia Fjetterström’s second oldest of eight children.

In 1886, her father took up a position as vicar in Vadstena.

Märta demonstrated from an early age she had artistic talent and great potential so she applied to the Technical School in Stockholm, now Konstfack, University College of Arts, Craft and Design.

She graduated in 1896 and began working as a drawing teacher in Jönköping.

Märta set up her own studio at Strandgården in Båstad, employing five weavers, and signed a contract with the Association of Swedish Handicraft which provided free training for five students every year.

She employed some of these students when they completed their training.

Her business had 20 employees and many contract weavers who worked from home but Märtha moved her business to a nearby four-storey building, Strandhem, including the Royal Family as customers.

After her death in 1941, the business continued running from these premises.

A new studio building, designed by Ivar and Anders Tengbom, was opened next door to Strandgården.