Late 19th Century Antique Ivory American Vase Folk Art Pattern Hooked Rug

This late 19th-century American hooked rug is a charming and rare exemplar of "Domestic Folk Art," representing the height of provincial creative expression in North America. While geometric or "hit-or-miss" patterns were common for daily utility, this Vase and Floral specimen was likely a "best" rug—a labor-intensive work of art created to bring color and a touch of Victorian refinement to a rural household. The composition is centered upon a classic folk art Vase (or Urn) motif, from which an exuberant arrangement of flowers and trailing vines emerges. The drawing is characterized by its "primitive" whimsy—the proportions are slightly stylized and hand-drawn, giving the piece a soulful, human quality that machine-made textiles lack.