Rug
Maker & role
Birstall Carpet Co. Ltd (estab. 1936), Manufacturer
Production date
circa 1960
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Object detail
Title
Brier Rose
Production place
Collection
Measurements
0 - Whole, L: 51 x W: 27cm (L: 510 x W: 270mm)
Signature & marks
Paper tag sewn to reverse corner: "Brier \ Rose \ Spool Axminster \ Design T/393 \ Size 27x51 approx. \ Made in England \ 42% Pile 50/50 wool/viscose \ 58% back 45% jute 13% viscose"
Credit line
Gift, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 1987
Rouse Hill Estate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Rouse Hill Estate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
'Brier rose' scatter rug, made by Birstall Carpet Co. Ltd, circa 1960
Description
This is an example of a Spool Axminster scatter rug. Spool or Royal Axminster was one of three varieties of Axminster on the market for much of the twentieth century, the other two being 'Gripper' and 'Chenille'. With a content of 50% wool and 50% viscose, this rug would have been an inexpensive option. Prior to World War II, the best machine made carpets were all 100% wool pile. However, because wool was expensive and prone to price fluctuations, manufacturers began experimenting with other fibres. Early experiments concentrated on rayon, though by the 1960s, the use of nylon in woven carpets was almost completely accepted. It became common practice to use 80% wool and 20% nylon in the high quality carpets, while low and medium priced carpet sometimes consisted of less than 50% wool.
This carpet is located underneath the sofa in the Sitting Room at Rouse Hill estate.
This carpet is located underneath the sofa in the Sitting Room at Rouse Hill estate.
Accession number
R86/151
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