Large American Hooked Rug by George Wells with a Modern Design and Modern Colors. George Wells purchased The Ruggery in 1956 after a career in retailing, during which he designed merchandise, displays and store interiors. By this time, Wells had bee...

Large American Hooked Rug by George Wells with a Modern Design and Modern Colors.

George Wells purchased The Ruggery in 1956 after a career in retailing, during which he designed merchandise, displays and store interiors. By this time, Wells had been hooking rugs for quite awhile, and his abstract designs marked the beginning of a new style of rug making. His work was widely exhibited and received top awards in national competitions. Wells innovative rug designs expanded to include the finely detailed pictorial scenes for which The Ruggery became famous. Renowned for his modern designs, Wells said he enjoyed making untraditional designs for traditional houses. Wells compared his work as a master rug maker to that of a stage designer: The stage setting is the room, and the rug must suit the setting and the characters who live in that setting, he said. Above all, the characters must enjoy the rugs.



Wells achievements included awards from the National Designer Craftsman Exhibition, New York Architectural League and American Institute of Decorators, among others. He was also an advocate for rug hooking as rehabilitation and therapy, and worked with the New York State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide instruction and materials.

Measures: 9' x 12'.