DESCRIPTION: This is a handmade hooked rug with a New England clipper ship design by ES Frost Company from New England circa late 1800s. Hooking rugs in North America started in New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces in the first quarter of the 19th century. Carpets were imported from Europe by wealthy Americans and in less wealthy families women made their own floor coverings from leftover fabric and later store bought fabrics cut into long strips specifically for that purpose. The first quarter of the 19th century was the first folk art period when Americans had the time and money needed to decorate their homes rather then spend all of their time and resources on the necessities of life. In the 1860s companies began making stencils that could be used to stamp designs on rugs. In the 1860s, Edward Sands Frost of Maine, began stenciling hooked rug designs that he sold from a peddler's cart. By the time he retired in 1876, his company had cut about 750 stencils, which are now owned by the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. This folk art hooked rug is made of wool on canvas and is a folksy design of a three mast New England clipper ship flying an American flag. The bold white sails on the clipper ship are at full furl filled with the ocean wind. The colorful American flag flies proudly over the majestic chipper ship as it sails through the choppy seas. The folk art hooked rug has been professionally mounted. MEASUREMENTS: 28 inches wide, 20 inches high, and 2 inches thick.

The folk art hooked rug has age appropriate wear and patina.