MÄRTA MÅÅS-FJETTERSTRÖM. Carpet, “Checkered Green Halvflossa”, marked “AB MMF”, 305 x 225 cm.

Designed in 1938.

Literature: Liljevalchs konsthalls catalogue: Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta igen, 90 år med Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Värnamo 2009, colour plate p 135.

Märta Måås-Fjetterström (born 1873 in Kimstad, Östergötland) was a prominent textile artist and one of the most significant representatives of Swedish textile art in the early 20th century. Her artistry was characterized by a combination of traditional techniques, oriental influences and modern modes of expression.

Måås-Fjetterström studied at the Higher Art Industrial School in Stockholm between 1890 and 1895, where she developed her interest in textile art. After her studies, Måås-Fjetterström worked as a teacher and at the same time developed her own work with textile works. She then accepted the offer to become a torch teacher at the Cultural Historical Society's weaving school in Lund in 1902. There she deepened her interest in the textile tradition of Scania.

In 1913, Märta Måås-Fjetterström received a position with textile legend Lilli Zickerman as director of the Swedish Hemslöjd weaving school in Vittsjö. There she developed new modern designs and created some of her most famous works such as “Ortagården,” “Hjorthagen” and “Proverbs carpet.“She worked there until 1919, when she opened her own weaving studio in Båstad.

During the interwar period, Måås-Fjetterström achieved great success and had a breakthrough with her own exhibition at Liljevalchs konsthall in Stockholm in 1934. She also collaborated with furniture architect Carl Malmsten, creating carpets for both private and public settings, including embassies and castles.

After Måås-Fjetterström's death in 1941, business in Båstad continued through the formation of the limited liability company “Märta Måås-Fjetterström, verkstaden för sv rugs och tissues ab,” with support from Carl Malmsten and others. Märta Måås-Fjetterström's art lives on through the still active weaving studio in Båstad, which uses her classic designs.