Nazmiyal Auction
Live Auction

Antique, Vintage & Modern Rug Auction

Sun, Sep 18, 2022 11:00AM EDT
Lot 6122

Vintage Scandinavian Clown Cat Karel Appel Art Rug 3 ft 11 in x 2 ft 10 in (1.19 m x 0.86 m)

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$100 $100
$1,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
Breathtakingly Artistic Vintage Scandinavian Clown Cat Karel Appel Art Rug, Country of Origin: Scandinavia Rug, Mid – 20th Century

Click Here To View This Rug In Your Room

The reserve price is the starting price

Description

This highly artistic little Karl Appel rug, depicts a playful “Clown Cat” that was faithfully created in this charming vintage Scandinavian rug, bringing an elevated sense of whimsical charm to any room.

By rendering an everyday subject in an unorthodox style, the artist invites reflection on the fundamentals of form, structure and the ways in which they can be bent. The intentionally organic and unkempt lines of the subject perfectly embody one of Appel’s most famous quotes:

“Something appears midway between order and chaos, these forms, these expressions occupy a middle position”

The vintage mid century rug itself was woven in an usually fine quality and with very high grade wool. The combination of these two factors help to elevate the piece into an art rug level where we can almost feel the artist’s “brush strokes”.

In this beautiful Karel Appel art rug , the balance and tension between order and chaos is clearly visible. Though it is recognizably a cat, the form is composed of what appear to be intense and wild brushstrokes in compellingly vibrant jewel tone colors. The vivid red color of the body and the mellow blue of the legs are both banded with contrasting orange cream hues, giving the cat the appearance of an avant garde striped tabby. Its expression, captured in just a few small ink-black smudges, is blank and open to interpretation, perhaps showing surprise or curiosity.

The background of artfully textured and haphazardly placed cerulean streaks, presents a perfect backdrop from which the cat springs forth. This exciting Karel Appel art rug is encompassed and framed with a simple dark blue almost black colored border where artist’s signature can be seen in the upper left corner. This juxtaposition naturally draws the eye to the center.

While most people may chose to showcase this magnificent piece as a wall hanging tapestry rug, others may choose to use it on the floor. Regardless of how one chooses to live with this magnificent piece, it is sure to add much artistic mastery to any home decor.

Condition

Full condition report on request. Please contact our rug experts at auction@nazmiyal.com or call us for any questions you may have at 212.545.8029.

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Shipping will be done from our 31 ease 32nd street location. For international shipping options please contact Nazmiyal Collection at 212-545-8029.