A PrairieMod reader sent a heads-up to the fact that the famous Frank Lloyd Wright-designed rug for the (recently sold) David Wright House in Arcadia, AZ is to be auctioned off at Los Angeles Modern Auctions this spring. Read more after the jump...
The rug is an iconic and important Frank Lloyd Wright design, featuring several layers of interlocking, brightly-colored rings. As with many Wright décor items, this rug design was only ever intended to integrate into this specific house. It can be said that taking the rug out of the context of its surroundings will diminish the visual power of both it and the house itself.
While it's troubling to think the rug will be separated from its intended home, auctioned-off, never to be seen again, there are legitimate reasons why this rug would be removed from the house. According to several sources, the half century-old rug has become very worn and faded—necessitating restoration and conservation. Continued use as a rug could damage it further. A rug, after all, is a rug and will wear if used. It just so happens that this rug is also a masterpiece of design and part of a larger masterwork of architecture.
It would be preferable to sell the rug to an institution that could care for it and at least allow the public to view it (possibly in a recreation of its original surroundings). A replica could be made to install in the original home to then complete the intended visual effect. This has occurred with other important historical homes over the years and is acceptable. It's not to say that this still couldn't happen with the David Wright House's rug.
I've contacted the auction house for more information regarding the situation surrounding the rug's removal and sale, but have not heard back yet. While there's no guarantee that a reputable institution will acquire the rug at auction or that the new owners will replace it with a new replica, we'll stay with the story and hope for the best. If anyone would like to share additional information about this story, please do. Follow the link to learn more about the upcoming auction.
Images via LAMA and la.curbed.com
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