4 x 6 Ritva Puotila Vintage Finnish Rya Ryijy Rug 79098

79098 Ritva Puotila Vintage Finnish Rya Ryijy Rug, 04'03 x 06'00.

A rare and electrifying artifact of modern textile mastery, Flame (1979) by renowned Finnish designer Ritva Puotila is an heirloom-quality rya rug that radiates power, poetry, and prestige. Commissioned by the esteemed Suomen Kasityon Ystavat (Friends of Finnish Handicraft), and hand-knotted in 1983 by artisan Anneli Hartikainen, this limited-edition masterpiece—number 6 of just 30—encapsulates the visceral brilliance of Puotila’s modernist vision. Its glowing tonal palette of deep crimson, ember orange, plum, violet, and black creates a mesmerizing gradient that captures the living breath of flame—an elemental force suspended in wool.

In this exquisite work of art, Puotila redefines the traditional ryijy rug as a vehicle for high art. What once served as warm bed coverings in rural Nordic homes becomes, under her hand, a canvas of expressive abstraction. Inspired by the unpredictable beauty of fire, the composition swells and flickers with painterly motion, echoing the rhythmic undulations of light and heat. At once meditative and dramatic, Flame bridges the worlds of functional textile and fine art, revealing how ancient techniques can be transformed into avant-garde design. Puotila’s legacy is not only one of form but of reimagining tradition—an act of cultural renewal cloaked in timeless elegance.

The tactile luxury of this sumptuous rya is matched only by its rarity. Each precious knot in the thick, hand-spun wool pile is a gesture of meticulous care, woven to withstand both time and scrutiny. The radiant reds and velvety shadows are not merely color, but mood—conjuring warmth, intimacy, and movement in equal measure. The interplay of light and depth across the surface makes this rug more than decorative; it becomes performative, a living artwork that responds to its surroundings. It is no accident that such a piece, designed with such audacity and woven with such fidelity, remains an exemplar of Finnish design heritage.

Owning Flame is not merely an acquisition—it is a curatorial act. It is a testament to taste and discernment, an investment in cultural memory and enduring artistry. Whether displayed on the floor as a grounding statement or suspended as a vibrant wall tapestry, Flame commands space with poetic intensity. As Scandinavian design continues to influence global aesthetics, this rare Puotila creation stands at the intersection of exclusivity, artistic innovation, and historical significance. It is an icon—not just of 20th-century textile design—but of the transformative power of craft elevated to the realm of the extraordinary.

• Designed by: Ritva Puotila.
• Title: Flame 1979.
• Suomen Kasityon Ystavat Label (The Friends of Finnish Handicraft).
• Abrash.
• Hand knotted wool.
• Made in (Helsinki) Finland.
• Measures: 04'03 x 06'00.
• Pile Height: 0.10 of an inch.
• Date: 1970's. Late 20th Century.