4 x 6 Ritva Puotila Vintage Finnish Rya Ryijy Rug 79099

79099 Ritva Puotila Vintage Finnish Rya Ryijy Rug, 04'03 x 06'00.

This hand-knotted wool vintage Finnish rya ryijy rug, Neptunus (1968), is a rare and visionary work by renowned Finnish textile artist Ritva Puotila. Commissioned by the prestigious Suomen Kasityon Ystavat (The Friends of Finnish Handicraft), this collectible design is an evocative synthesis of Scandinavian tradition and avant-garde modernism. The composition radiates elemental energy: fiery reds and ember-like oranges swirl through a field of abyssal blue and violet, invoking the mythic grandeur and mysterious pull of Neptune, both god and planet. It’s not merely a floor covering—it’s a woven cosmos, a living flame of color and imagination.

As one of the most respected figures in Nordic textile design, Puotila played a pivotal role in redefining the legacy of the rya. In Neptunus, her abstract language emerges from the deep pile with painterly nuance, elevating the traditional knotted format into a three-dimensional, immersive experience. She translates Neptune’s celestial and aquatic symbology into a choreography of color and rhythm, turning the rug into an emotional, almost spiritual landscape. There is a kinetic charge to the pattern—suggesting waves, volcanic eruptions, planetary surfaces—all rendered in her signature rich tonal blending.

Handwoven with extraordinary precision, this rug’s construction speaks to both cultural heritage and elite craftsmanship. Each knot, thick and densely packed, creates a luxurious tactile surface that carries the viewer’s hand as much as their eye. The combination of texture and layered hues gives the impression of movement, like flickering flames seen through water or the kaleidoscopic refraction of light in space. Puotila’s masterful control of wool’s organic behavior ensures that Neptunus not only looks spectacular, but feels viscerally enchanting underfoot or hung as a textile sculpture.

A museum-worthy artifact and functional artwork, Neptunus is a symbol of prestige and refinement for the most discerning interiors. Its scarcity and provenance—marked by its Suomen Käsityön Ystävät label—ensure its place as a highly sought-after collector’s piece. As an embodiment of Finland’s artistic legacy and Puotila’s visionary genius, this rya rug is not simply a furnishing, but a narrative of myth, nature, and design excellence. It is a testament to the power of tradition elevated through fearless innovation—rare, radiant, and timeless.

• Designed by: Ritva Puotila.
• Title: Neptunus 1968.
• 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: 1960's. Mid-20th Century.