This exquisite rug, perfect for a corridor or wall decoration, comes from the Northern Greece village of Vertiskos. Hand-crocheted in a poly wool mix, this runner features a repeating pattern of two red birds sitting on an olive branch, facing each other. The rug is completed by a small, primary coloured frill at both ends, and a deep red rectangular border.

This rug is not just a fantastic piece of folk art. The tradition in this part of Greece is that young girls, in preparation for their marriage dowry, must produce a huge amount of textile products with the help of their mothers and grandmothers. When the time comes to get married they display their wares to their village, taking them on a parade to their groom's house whilst accompanied by music and dance. The dowry law in Greece ended in 1982, but the tradition continues in some rural parts of the country to this day.

CREATOR: Unknown

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Greece

DATE OF MANUFACTURE: 1950s

PERIOD: 1950 - 1959

MATERIALS & TECHNIQUES: Poly/wool mix fabric, dye

CONDITION: Good vintage condition

WEAR: Some minor wear, to be expected given a fabric of this age.

LENGHT: 126cm | 49.6in

WIDTH: 49cm | 19.2in

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