By Louise Irvine

Dale Chihuly’s brilliant glass art has been reimagined as magic carpets thanks to a successful partnership between his glassblowing studio in Seattle and The Rug Company’s weavers in Kathmandu, Nepal. He has created four more magical designs for his Masterpieces Collection, which was launched in 2020. WMODA visitors will remember seeing two of Chihuly’s first rug designs hanging in the Macchia Garden in our Dania Beach museum. Now we have his stunning Harvest rug on display in Hollywood courtesy of The Rug Company.

Masterpieces II

The inspiration for the new collection is Venice, a city that played a significant role in Chihuly’s artistic journey. It was here, early in his career, that Chihuly learned Italian glassmaking techniques at the famed Venini factory and later exhibited his work across the city’s celebrated canals and architectural spaces.

Defined by its hypnotic waves, the River rug design evokes the whirling movement of water — a theme consistent in Chihuly’s work. Taking inspiration from his Persians series first exhibited in 1986, this design translates the repetitive rings of molten glass through hand-knotting wool and silk to create a sense of depth and translucency. Available in two colorways, River features deep petrol blues and cool grays, while River Shell offers a fusion of light neutral greys.

Oyster draws inspiration from Chihuly’s Macchia, a series of artworks that pushed the boundaries of color, form and scale. Jewel-toned silk accents dance across a neutral tide of ripples, creating the appearance of a shore exposed by the tide and demonstrating the artist’s layered approach.

Scallop also embodies Macchia’s experimental legacy. Reminiscent of the ebb and flow of water, the monochrome motif has been woven into 12 gentle hues to create a sense of movement. At the same time, the blue silk accents offer a nod to Chihuly’s “clouds”,  the unassuming white glass chips that sit between the layers of colored glass and preserve each hue’s distinct brilliance.

A cacophony of color, Coho features a palette of 32 unique hues intricately woven into an elaborate design. Gestural lines are layered against seemingly transparent stretches and finished with playful droplets, creating a visual feast for the eyes. Inspired by Chihuly’s Blanket Cylinder series, this rug has been woven in wool and silk, adding a delicate finish to its bold design and creating the illusion of translucency.

In addition to the stock pieces available, each design can be tailored to suit the requirements of both residential and contract spaces. The collection can be ordered as a wall-to-wall carpet or stair runner or adapted in size, shape, pile height, or color. Oyster and Scallop are both available in round and runner options.