Curated collection of antique, vintage and modern rugs

Karel Appel Clown Cat Vintage Rug

Size: 3 ft 11 in x 2 ft 10 in (1.19 m x 0.86 m)

Karel Appel (1921–2006) was a pioneering Dutch painter and a founding member of the avant-garde CoBrA movement. Known for his explosive use of color, raw forms, and expressive brushwork, Appel challenged postwar artistic conventions by embracing spontaneity and childlike imagination. Drawing inspiration from primitive art, mythology, and the subconscious, his works often depict fantastical creatures and bold human forms, layered with thick paint and unfiltered emotion. Appel's art has been exhibited in major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Centre Pompidou, and the Stedelijk Museum. His influence reached far beyond Europe, earning him recognition as one of the key figures in postwar expressionism. Artworks by Appel remain highly collectible, especially his paintings and original prints, while his legacy continues to inspire contemporary artists and designers alike. This rug captures the spirit of Appel’s aesthetic, translating his signature energy and form into a tactile, visual composition for the floor.

Vibrant and unapologetically expressive, this vintage rug by Karel Appel captures the raw energy of postwar European avant-garde. Bold strokes of crimson, cobalt, and ochre form the whimsical yet primal visage of a cat, channeling Appel’s signature CoBrA aesthetic into a tactile surface bursting with painterly momentum. Please contact our rug experts at auction@nazmiyal.com or call us for any questions you may have at 212.545.8029. Please note that all lots are sold "AS IS. " Condition reports are given as a courtesy to our clients and shall not be deemed as a guarantee of the lot's condition, quality, and authenticity. The absence of a condition report does not imply the item is in perfect condition.